By Sean Cronin
Hisaaki Saito's hitherto unbeaten 2-year-old colt Topgear (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) continued on a roll and took his tally to a perfect three from three with a hard-fought victory in Friday's G3 Prix Eclipse at Chantilly. The April-foaled dark bay went postward as the crowd's 8-5 choice returning off wins in competitive heats at Deauville last month and was under a firm hold behind the leaders in fourth through the early fractions of this six-furlong dash. Powering forward to join German raider Best Flying (Fr) (Pedro the Great) soon after passing the two pole, he came under stern urging thereafter and was driven out inside the final furlong to bravely withstand that persistent rival's threat by a short neck for a career high. The pair finished 4 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder, headed by G3 Prix Six Perfections fourth Lovamour (Fr) (Goken {Fr}).
“That was a good performance and he kept his unbeaten record intact,” said winning trainer Fabrice Chappet. “He won over six-and-a-half [furlongs] last time, but I felt it was not yet the time to stretch him out. I thought this six [furlongs] would suit him anyway. He's entered in the [Oct. 3 G1] Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over seven [furlongs] on Arc day, but he will also be entered in the [six-furlong G2] Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. At this stage, the latter seems the more logical step.”
Topgear is the latest of three foals and third scorer out of a winning half-sister to GII Strub S.-winning sire Guilt Trip (Pulpit) and the dam of the stakes-placed Roberta Mia (Tur) (Goken {Fr}). His Listed Hopeful S.-winning third dam Rose Indien (Fr) (Crystal Glitters) produced the stakes-winning sire Salty Sea (Siberian Express) and the stakes-placed duo War Tempo (Quiet American) and Darkwood (Fit To Fight). She is also the second dam of G2 Superlative S. victor Silver Grecian (GB) (Haafhd {GB}). Rose Indien is a half-sister to G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris-winning sire Majorien (GB) (Machiavellian) and MGSW G2 Prix de Malleret victrix America (Ire) (Arazi), herself the dam of G1 Melbourne Cup-winning sire Americain (Dynaformer).
Friday, Chantilly, France
PRIX ECLIPSE-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 9-17, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.92, sf.
1–TOPGEAR (FR), 126, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Miss Lech, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Mysterieuse Etoile, by Quiet American
3rd Dam: Rose Indien (Fr), by Crystal Glitters
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€200,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Hisaaki Saito; B-SNIG Elevage (FR); T-Fabrice Chappet; J-Stephane Pasquier. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €70,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Best Flying (Fr), 122, f, 2, Pedro the Great–Best Dreaming (Ger), by Big Shuffle. (€22,000 RNA Ylg '20 BBAGO). O-Stall Ad Episas; B-Hermann Pfister (FR); T-Andreas Suborics. €16,000.
3–Lovamour (Fr), 122, f, 2, Goken (Fr)–Ice Love (Fr), by Three Valleys. (€105,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Alain Jathiere & Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Pascal Bary. €12,000.
Margins: SNK, 4HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 2.60, 7.10.
Also Ran: Montussan (Fr), Fai Fai (GB), Last Crusader (Ire), Dynamic Force (Ire), Ma Noire (Fr). Scratched: Dishina (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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