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Wednesday 16th June 2010, Chantilly. (www.jourdegalop.com) Pink Gin (Kouroun) won the €57,000 Prix Fasquel (3yos-1,800m) from pillar to post on Wednesday at Chantilly. Jean-Marie Béguigné’s charge had the benefit of being the last to load into the stalls in a race whose depart was delayed by the difficulties caused by Persiste et Signe (With Approval), an eventual non runner, and Estimate (Westerner). “My instructions were for his jockey to find the best conditions possible for the horse”, confided the winning trainer. “Not necessarily for him to go out in front and lead the race.” Nice and relaxed at the head of the six runner field, Pink Gin was only challenged by Galaxidi (High Chaparral) in the final stages and had no problem fighting off the attack. “He is a good looking colt, with ability”, continued the trainer, he is capable of accelerating well when asked.” Pink Gin has only run twice this year, each time finishing second over a mile. This was therefore his first victory as a 3 year old and he showed the potential of earning black type in the future. “We will no doubt enter him in the Prix Daphnis (Gr3), confided Jean-Marie Béguigné, “as his sire Kouroun also won that race.”
Galaxidi came here off a 4th place in the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1), whose winner subsequently won the Prix de Diane (Gr1). Carrying less weight than all of her rivals, it seemed possible that this was her chance to open her record. However Galaxidi tried in vain to attack Pink Gin in the straight but she could only manage to finish one and a half lengths behind him. Estimate (Westerner) ran well to take third place a further two and a half lengths behind the pair.
Bred by the Baguenault de Puchesse family, Pink Gin is the first offspring out of Pink Cloud (Octagonal). “I also trained his dam”, commented Jean-Marie Béguigné, “who won two Quintés (handicaps). She has a stunning 2 year old filly by Lando, and was covered again this year by Kouroun.”
Moskowa –Listed success for England
Opinion Poll (Halling) was the only foreign raider at the start of the €52,000 Prix La Moskowa (L-4yos+3,000m). Michael Jarvis’s representative easily beat Aïzavoski (Monsun) in the last strides to win by three quarters of a length. “He is a good horse but he prefers soft ground”, commented Joanne Banks, assistant to Michael Jarvis. “He will now be aimed at Group races, depending on ground conditions.” Her boss later confirmed by telephone that he could run in the Goodwood Cup (Gr3).
Opinion Poll has showed some quality in his career, coming here off a third place at the same level one length behind the ex Aga Khan Manighar (Linamix). Green Tango (Majorien) has been placed on multiple occasions at this level and that was once again the case in this Listed race, he finished in third place a length and a half behind Aïzavoski.
Bred by Darley, Opinion Poll is a son of Ahead (Shirley Heights), who was Group and Listed placed. She is also the dam of Horatia (Machiavellian), a Gr3 winner in the USA.
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