By Tom Frary
Having wowed with a six-length win over a mile at Saint-Cloud in November, Malcolm Parrish's exciting colt American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Tres Americanqueen {Fr}, by American Post {GB}) returned to the same course and distance on Saturday to put his name among the 2023 Classic hopefuls with an impressive success in the Listed Prix Omnium II. Held up initially by Christophe Soumillon, the Yann Barberot-trained relative of the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville winner Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}) was cajoled forward nearing the end of the back straight. Seizing the advantage passing the two-furlong pole, the even-money favourite was soon clear and was eased late on to register a three-length verdict over Kendly (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}).
“Last year after his win over the course and distance he showed us that he could be a horse with a great potential,” the trainer said of the €102,000 purchase at the 2021 Arqana Deauville August Sale. “He confirmed that today, even though he was not fully fit having only had an easy piece of work on the grass last Tuesday. That opens up possibilities, but so far he has only raced on soft ground and I don't know how he will do over good or faster. The [G3] Prix de Fontainebleau is an option, but we won't commit at this stage.”
The dam is a daughter of the dual group-placed Tres Ravi (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), whose six black-type performers include the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville winner and G1 Deutsches Derby runner-up Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}) and the multiple group-winning sire Tres Rock Danon (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}). Another of her progeny, Anabaa Blue's G2 Prix de Royallieu runner-up Tres Rapide (Ire), is the second dam of Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) who excelled here when capturing the G2 Prix Eugene Adam and G3 Prix Exbury and was second in the G1 Prix Ganay and Pretty Boy (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) who was second in this venue's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon. Tres Americanqueen's 2-year-old colt American Thunder (Fr) is by Night Of Thunder (Ire).
PRIX OMNIUM II-Listed, €55,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-18, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:46.65, sf.
1–AMERICAN FLAG (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Tres Americanqueen (Fr), by American Post (GB)
2nd Dam: Tres Ravi (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
3rd Dam: Tres Magnifique (GB), by Gay Fandango
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€102,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Malcolm Parrish; B-Chevotel de la Hauquerie (FR); T-Yann Barberot; J-Christophe Soumillon. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €49,900.
2–Kendly (Fr), 128, c, 3, Kendargent (Fr)–Kindly Dismiss (Fr), by Excellent Art (GB).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (€38,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand & Stephen Lahmi; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Philippe Sogorb. €11,000.
3–Birr Castle (Fr), 128, c, 3, Cloth Of Stars (Ire)–Baki (Fr), by Turtle Bowl (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (€170,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT). O-Godolphin SNC; B-F Rohaut (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €8,250.
Margins: 3, 1 3/4, 1HF. Odds: Evens, 5.70, 4.50.
Also Ran: Sosino (Ire), Duc De Kent (Fr), Kizmambo (Ire), Angers (Fr), Denver Chop (Fr), Strako (Fr). Video, sponsored by TVG.
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