By Heather Anderson
Shortly after Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) stormed to G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. success at Newmarket on Saturday, it was another group victory for the training duo of Simon and Ed Crisford, as Poker Face (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) pounced in the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein over 1600 metres at ParisLongchamp.
In midpack from the jump as G3 Sovereign S. winner Embesto (GB) (Roaring Lion) chaired the vanguard up front with Colombier (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the 4-year-old gelding waited patiently for his call up, and, with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining, pounced on the embattled longtime leader inside the 300-metre mark. At the line, the 43-10 shot was two lengths clear of the rallying 23-10 favourite, Group 3 winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains second Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). Belbek (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}), a winner of the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last term, was a neck behind in third and he just nipped Embesto by a head for fourth.
A winner of all three of his starts at three, the Edward Ware runner was runner-up in the G3 Earl of Sefton S. in April and earned more black-type when second in a Sandown listed affair three starts later in July. Taking the Listed Pomfret S. at Pontefract at the end of that month, he triumphed in the G3 Prix Quincey at Deauville near the end of August.
“It's been an incredible two days and I'm delighted for everyone involved,” said the Crisfords' racing manager Liam Elvidge. “It's been the plan to come here for the Daniel Wildenstein with Poker Face, expecting the ground to be a little bit softer, but he's put in a helluva performance. That's his third win on the bounce after winning a listed race at Pontefract and a Group 3 at Deauville. To come here and win on Arc weekend is an amazing achievement. We will get him home to Newmarket and see how he comes out of the race before deciding whether to give him another run this year or wait for next year.”
The @gainsboroughHQ team are on 🔥
Poker Face follows up Vandeek's Group 1 win by landing the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein over in Paris.
A hat trick of wins for the 4yo.
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) September 30, 2023
Pedigree Notes
Bred by Rockhart Trading, the 95,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling was snapped up by Richard Frisby Bloodstock. Poker Face is one of 122 group winners worldwide for the excellent former reverse shuttle stallion Fastnet Rock, who now resides permanently at Coolmore Australia.
A full-brother to dual American stakes winner Star Devine (Ire), who was also placed twice in Grade IIIs in the US, Poker Face is followed by full-siblings born in 2020-2022–the 3-year-old filly Star Rockette (Ire), the juvenile colt Odyssey Fox (Ire) and another yearling filly, who will be consigned by Marlhill House Stud as lot 724 during the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 in October. Stars At Night, who won at three and is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Blue Bunting (Dynaformer), was covered by American Triple Crown winner Justify this spring.
Saturday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DANIEL WILDENSTEIN-G2, €200,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-30, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:37.45, g/s.
1–POKER FACE (IRE), 128, g, 4, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Stars At Night (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Miarixa (Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
3rd Dam: Mrs Arkada (Fr), by Akarad (Fr)
(95,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Edward Ware; B-Rockhart Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford; J-Maxime Guyon. €114,000. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 10-6-2-0, €241,290. *Full to Star Devine (Ire), MSW & MGSP-US, $340,490. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Isaac Shelby (GB), 123, c, 3, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Kentucky Belle (Ire), by Heliostatic (Ire). (£92,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Elaine Chivers (GB); T-Brian Meehan. €44,000.
3–Belbek (Fr), 123, c, 3, Showcasing (GB)–Bee Queen (GB), by Makfi (GB). O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Sumbe (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €21,000.
Margins: 2, NK, HD. Odds: 4.30, 2.30, 5.70.
Also Ran: Embesto (GB), Mr Moliere (GB), Colombier (GB), Caracal (Fr), Fast Raaj (Fr), Kiloecho (Fr), Witch Hunter (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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