By Sean Cronin
Jean-Claude Rouget trainee Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}–Speculating {Ire}, by Xtension {Ire}) created a favourable impression when notching a two-length debut triumph going six furlongs at Saint-Cloud in May and delivered a performance of raw power to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' badge over the same trip in Saturday's Prix de la Croix des Veneurs at Chantilly.
Havana Cigar failed to make best use of his stands' side draw and was steadied at the tail of the six-runner field after missing a beat at the kick. Powering by rivals inside the final quarter-mile, the 12-5 second favourite surged beyond the pacesetting 'TDN Rising Star' Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) entering the final furlong and quickened clear in highly impressive fashion to hit the line strong and five lengths ahead of the outclassed Gotta Skedaddle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) in second. He becomes the first Rising Star for his sire (by Havana Gold {Ire}).
“I'm aware the horse of Monsieur Fabre's [Alcantor] started as the [1-2] favourite, but Havana Cigar is a very nice colt too and he had won well at Saint-Cloud first time out,” the winning trainer said. “Maybe he didn't have the best possible trip, being positioned where he was in rear early, but he has good speed and quality and quickened well. He will be fine for Deauville with his next start possibly in the [July 30 G3] Prix de Cabourg.”
Pedigree Notes
Havana Cigar is the first of two foals produced by an unraced half-sister to G3 Cumberland Lodge S. victor Danehill Kodiac (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). The February-foaled grey, a 21,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned 150,000gns October Book 2 yearling, is kin to a yearling colt by Showcasing (GB). Descendants of his third dam Marl (GB) (Lycius) include G1 Australian Cup hero Spillway (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) and G3 Summer S. victrix Light Refrain (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
6th-Chantilly, €34,000, Cond, 7-1, 2yo, 6fT, 1:11.28, g/s.
HAVANA CIGAR (GB), c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
1st Dam: Speculating (Ire), by Xtension (Ire)
2nd Dam: Meadow (GB), by Green Desert
3rd Dam: Marl (GB), by Lycius
(21,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA; 150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €32,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
O-White Birch Farm; B-Josh Cameron (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro.
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