By Sean Cronin
Godolphin's 3-year-old colt Erasmo (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), successful at Chantilly in last term's Listed Prix Saraca and in last month's Listed Prix de Pontarme at ParisLongchamp, stepped up to better a second in the Apr. 11 G3 Prix La Force with a narrow victory in Sunday's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines back at Chantilly. Settled just off the pace in fourth until taking closer order in the straight, the 14-5 second favourite launched his challenge going well passing the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out inside the final furlong to withstand the persistent threat of G2 German 2000 Guineas runner-up Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}) by a short neck in snug fashion for a career high. Breizh Eagle (Fr) (Bow Creek {Ire}), who ran third in last month's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, was unable to land a telling blow and finished sixth.
“He is such a brave horse, he's all heart and a fighter,” said Godolphin's Lisa Jane Graffard. “He never runs a bad race and deserved that one. We will see how he comes out of the race, it is very warm and it may have taken a lot out of him. The [July 11 G1] Prix Jean Prat [at Deauville] is a possibility, but if he needs a rest then we will wait.”
Erasmo is one of three black-type winners for the stakes-placed Sant Elena (GB) (Efisio {GB}) and the February-foaled bay is kin to MG1SW sire Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate), MGSP Listed Metropolitan S. victor Best Approach (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Listed Lenebane S. third Family Tree (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). He is also kin to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old filly Elena's Gift (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the dam of G3 Sweet Solera S. victress West End Girl (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}). Sant Elena, who is out of a half-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy scorer Crowded House (GB) (Rainbow Quest), is kin to MGISW distaffer Ticker Tape (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest victor Brando (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX PAUL DE MOUSSAC LONGINES-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 6-20, 3yo, 8fT, 1:39.49, g/s.
1–ERASMO (GB), 123, c, 3, by Oasis Dream (GB)
1st Dam: Sant Elena (GB) (SP-Can), by Efisio (GB)
2nd Dam: Argent du Bois, by Silver Hawk
3rd Dam: Wiener Wald, by Woodman
1ST GROUP WIN. (140,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Godolphin; B-Car Colston Hall Syndicate (GB); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-1, €134,806. *1/2 to Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate), Hwt. 2yo Colt-Fr, Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 5-7f, G1SW-Eng & Fr, $609,536; Best Approach (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Jpn, $830,511; and Family Tree (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), SP-Ire, $116,995. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Best Lightning (Fr), 123, c, 3, Sidestep (Aus)–Best Dreaming (Ger), by Big Shuffle. (€9,000 RNA Ylg '19 BBAGO). O-Stall Ad Episas; B-Hermann Pfister (FR); T-Andreas Suborics. €16,000.
3–Moai (Fr), 123, c, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Psychometry (Fr), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Niarchos Family (FR); T-Pascal Bary. €12,000.
Margins: SNK, 3/4, HF. Odds: 2.80, 17.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Perseverants (Fr), Paco (Ire), Breizh Eagle (Fr), Bellharbour Music. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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