Mare Australis In Command In The Grand Prix de Chantilly

Working his way back to the level of his success in last year's G1 Prix Ganay, Gestut Schlenderhan's Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}) was steered to a cosy win in Sunday's G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly in what amounted to one of Olivier Peslier's masterclasses. Always comfortable on the front end kept company by the pacemaker Soho (Ger) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), the 3-1 shot took command at the top of the straight and had the energy to shy at the advertising boards en route to a two-length verdict over Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}), with Glycon (Fr) (Le Havre {GB}) a further length away in third.

Lightly-campaigned for his age and raced only twice since his career highlight at ParisLongchamp last May, Mare Australis had posted a respectable return when third behind Skalleti (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) back at that venue Apr. 10 before finishing fourth in the latest edition of the Ganay there at the start of last month. Trainer Andre Fabre is keen to go where the underfoot conditions suit. “This horse had been away a long time and he needed his two starts this year to reach his top condition,” he explained. “Softer ground today was also a help. If the ground is suitable and the weather not too dry, he might take his chance in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud. If not we will wait for the autumn to race him again.”

Mare Australis is the last live foal out of the dual listed-placed Miramare (Ger) (Rainbow Quest), whose listed-winning dam Minaccia (Ger) (Platini {Ger}) produced five black-type performers headed by the G2 Prix de Pomone and G3 Prix Allez France winner Macleya (Ger) (Winged Love {Ire}) and the G3 Prix de Barbeville scorer Montclair (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Also the second dam of the G2 Prix du Muguet-placed Mer et Nuages (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and the GI United Nations H. hero Tribhuvan (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}), she is connected to the dual Classic-winning German champion Majoritat (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}) and the legendary Monsun (Ger), while this dam line is also responsible for the G1 Japanese Derby hero Eishin Flash (Jpn) (King's Best).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
GRAND PRIX DE CHANTILLY-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-5, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:29.16, sf.
1–MARE AUSTRALIS (IRE), 126, h, 5, by Australia (GB)
     1st Dam: Miramare (Ger) (MSP-GB), by Rainbow Quest
     2nd Dam: Minaccia (Gee), by Platini (Ger)
     3rd Dam: Maji (GB), by Shareef Dancer
O-Gestut Schlenderhan; B-Stall Ullmann (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Olivier Peslier. €74,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. Older Horse-Fr at 9 1/2-11f, G1SW-Fr, 9-4-2-1, €354,084. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Bubble Gift (Fr), 126, c, 4, Nathaniel (Ire)–Bubble Back (Fr), by Grand Lodge. O-Zak Bloodstock; B-A Hakam (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €28,600.
3–Glycon (Fr), 126, g, 6, Le Havre (Ire)–Glorious Sight (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire). O/B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €13,650.
Margins: 2, 1, HF. Odds: 3.10, 4.50, 12.00.
Also Ran: Grocer Jack (Ger), Mendocino (Ger), Road To Arc (Fr), Mutabahi (Fr), Fenelon (Fr), Soho (Ger). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.