By Sean Cronin
Philippe Decouz trainee Go Athletico (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) posted a second over seven furlongs in ParisLongchamp's July 14 Listed Prix Roland de Chambure on stakes bow last time and returned to the same Bois de Boulogne strip to cause a 17-2 surprise in Sunday's G3 Prix La Rochette. Positioned under some cover behind the leaders in third, he was shaken into action with 350 metres remaining and quickened smartly in the closing stages to edge Roland de Chambure third Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) by a length for a career high and a second black-type success for his freshman sire (by Kendargent {Fr}). Godolphin's 3-5 favourite Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) set the tone for the most part, but was swamped inside the furlong and finished a neck further back in third.
“We saw that he handled the track very well when he ran over course and distance last time, which all horses don't, and he handled it very well again today,” said winning trainer Philippe Decouz. “We targeted this race, freshened him up and we were quite confident that he would run a great race. We are delighted as we own and bred the horse with some friends and he carries the colours of one of them for whom this is a first venture into ownership. He's a gelding so he can't go for the upcoming Group 1 races. He is small, but quite speedy, with a fluent stride and I might bring him back over six furlongs for the [G2] Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. I'm sure he could be okay, tackling soft ground on a straight course, and I am also convinced that he could run over a mile without any problem.”
Go Athletico is the second foal and scorer out of Byburg (Fr) (Sageburg {Ire}), whose own dam By The Best (Fr) (King's Best) is kin to the GIII Dixiana Bourbon S. victor Keep Quiet (Fr) (Elusive City) and GII San Clemente H. victrix Little Treasure (Fr) (Night Shift). Little Treasure has three black-type winners to her credit, headed by MGISP GII La Canada S. victress More Chocolate (Malibu Moon). Go Athletico's Listed Prix Yacowlef-winning fourth dam Bague Bleue (Ire) (Last Tycoon {Ire}) is a full-sister to MG1SW sire Bigstone (Ire) and a half to Listed Prix Imprudence winner Blue Cloud (Ire) (Nashwan), herself the dam of G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial winner Empowering (Ire) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX LA ROCHETTE-G3, €56,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-6, 2yo, 7fT, 1:21.83, g/s.
1–GO ATHLETICO (FR), 126, g, 2, by Goken (Fr)
1st Dam: Byburg (Fr), by Sageburg (Ire)
2nd Dam: By The Best (Fr), by King's Best
3rd Dam: Luminosity (GB), by Sillery
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Tanguy Moreux, SAS Racing D, Mme Camille Vitse, Robin Mouterde & Thibault de Seyssel; B-Mme Camille Vitse & Mme Valerie Decouz (FR); T-Philippe Decouz; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, €51,800. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, €51,800. Werk Nick Rating: First SW from this cross. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sealiway (Fr), 126, c, 2, Galiway (GB)–Kensea (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€62,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie & Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Frederic Rossi. €11,200.
3–Naval Crown (GB), 126, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Come Alive (GB), by Dansili (GB). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. €8,400.
Margins: 1, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 8.50, 3.20, 0.60.
Also Ran: Darkness (Fr), Magic Sword (Fr), Dahiya (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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