By Sean Cronin
Julian Richmond-Watson and Ralph Beckett tasted Classic success in 2008 with G1 Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Ger}) and they are once again eyeing a moment in the spotlight after Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Regardez {GB}, by Champs Elysees {GB}), who is from the family of Look Here, downed 11 rivals with something to spare in Saturday's G3 Dubai Duty Free S. (Fred Darling S.) at Newbury. Positioned under cover and racing a shade enthusiastically in mid division through the initial fractions of this straight seven-furlong test, the Sept. 29 Salisbury maiden winner and 7-2 chance surged forward into contention at the quarter-mile pole and quickened in impressive fashion under mild urging inside the final furlong to comfortably hold the late rally of Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) by a neck, despite rider Rob Hornby dropping his whip in the closing stages.
Remarquee's triumph was a fifth in the contest, and first since 2015, for Beckett, who insisted a crack at the May 7 G1 1000 Guineas was now very much on the cards. “It's great, it's everything I'd hoped for and more,” the trainer beamed. “She was green and running away and Rob [Hornby] dropped his stick by the time she was running away from the crowd. Richard Hannon's filly [Magical Sunset] leant on her a bit, so she had Kevin Stott's stick in her face for a couple of strides. She doesn't know very much, but she will know more after today and we will certainly go to Newmarket [for the 1000 Guineas]. I think she is very good and she has got to go there on the back of that. Her mother wanted fast ground and maybe she handles this ground, but I don't see fast ground being a problem.”
Hornby added, “She seems a good mover and she has a high head carriage, which is a bit like Kingman. They tend to be a bit like that, but it doesn't stop her. It is probably what she finds comfortable and she was still running true all the way to the line. She will definitely stay further and, while you don't know until you've tried it, I'm sure she will act well on the course at Newmarket. She is not short of speed and I think a mile will be right for her.”
Pedigree Notes
Remarquee, who becomes the 35th pattern-race winner for her sire (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}), is the fourth of six foals and one of two winners for MGSP Listed Hoppings S. victrix Regardez (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). The March-foaled homebred bay is kin to the unraced 2-year-old colt Reveal (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and a yearling filly by Study Of Man (Ire). Regardez is kin to the ill-fated G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), stakes-winning G2 Prix de Sandringham third Glance (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and the stakes-placed Compton (GB) (Compton Place {GB}). They are out of a half-sister G1 Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr), herself the dam of Listed Noel Murless S. victrix and G2 Lancashire Oaks third Hereby (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). Remarquee's fourth dam Derniere Danse (GB) (Gay Mecene), whose descendants include Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Kayah (GB) (Kahyasi {Ire}), is half-sister to G2 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero and MG1SP sire Pursuit of Love (GB) (Groom Dancer) and MGSW G1 Prix Morny runner-up Divine Danse (Fr) (Kris {GB}).
Saturday, Newbury, Britain
DUBAI DUTY FREE S. (FRED DARLING S.)-G3, £70,000, Newbury, 4-22, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:31.13, sf.
1–REMARQUEE (GB), 128, f, 3, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Regardez (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, GSP-Ire & US, $181,176), by Champs Elysees (GB)
2nd Dam: Look So (GB), by Efisio (GB)
3rd Dam: Last Look (GB), by Rainbow Quest
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-J H Richmond-Watson; B-Lawn Stud (GB); T-Ralph Beckett; J-Rob Hornby. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $54,979. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Stenton Glider (Ire), 128, f, 3, Dandy Man (Ire)–Crystal Malt (Ire), by Intikhab. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£35,000 Ylg '21 TATIRY). O-Mrs J Mairs & T S Mairs; B-Laurence Kennedy (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer. £15,050.
3–Swingalong (Ire), 128, f, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Pilates (Ire), by Shamardal. (120,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum; B-Mount Armstrong Stud. (IRE); T-Karl Burke. £7,532.
Margins: NK, 1 3/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 18.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Embrace (Ire), Magical Sunset (Ire), Bridestones (Ire), Crystallium (GB), Lady Alara (Ire), Liberalist (GB), Mottisfont (Ire), Fully Wet (GB), Soul Sister (Ire). Scratched: Olivia Maralda (Ire), Youngest (GB).
Still unbeaten! 👀
Remarquee comes home strongly despite still looking green to land the Fred Darling @NewburyRacing on just her second career start for @RalphBeckett.
Were you impressed? She's been slashed into as short as 6/1 (from 16s) for the 1,000 Guineas. pic.twitter.com/kLcfc6lmGr
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 22, 2023
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