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Lope de Vega Filly On The Classic Trail At Saint-Cloud

Last year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) was back in action in Sunday's Listed Prix La Camargo at Saint-Cloud, but she had to play second fiddle to the emerging force Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) as Gemini Stud's representative dealt her a resounding six-length beating in the mile contest. Last seen finishing a length behind Tiger Tanaka when they were fourth and sixth in the 10-furlong G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October, the daughter of the dual stakes winner and G2 May Hill S. runner-up High Heel Sneakers (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was in a league of her own on their second encounter to spark dreams of the upcoming Classics. Held up in a share of fourth early by Mickael Barzalona, the 38-10 shot moved smoothly to take command up the centre of the track passing the two-furlong pole as Jessica Marcialis made the best of her way home on the 7-5 favourite towards the far rail. Soon clear, the bay was stretching out with relish despite the testing ground for an impressive verdict as Tiger Tanaka had to fight to ward off Libertine (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) for the runner's-up spot by a head.

Winning trainer Francis-Henri Graffard unsurprisingly has his eye on the big prizes now. “It's always a worry when you bring a filly to the races first time out and you hope for the best, but she has shown some quality and I've always had a high opinion of her,” he said. “Even though she ran badly first time at Deauville, that was a very strong renewal of that particular race and she had won twice since. Maybe I made a mistake sending her to the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, but I thought she'd stay that 10-furlong trip. It was probably too early for her and she's done well and strengthened a lot over the winter, so I was keen to see how she would do here. I wasn't concerned about the ground, as I think she can quicken on any ground and I was more fearful of a tactical race with those who had had a run this season but she showed all her class. She's in all the major races for fillies and we'll keep her over a mile with the [G1 Poule d'Essai des] Pouliches as a target. We'll see how she comes out of this and if she runs in between in the [G3] Prix de la Grotte.”

Tiger Tanaka's trainer Charley Rossi is intending to head straight to the May 16 ParisLongchamp Classic with the runner-up. “It didn't go too well at the break and I feel that some of the jockeys were not too courteous with my jockey, but all went quite well afterwards,” he said. “I'd prefer to win, but maybe she needed the race and I'm happy with the way she fought for second. We'll stick to the initial plan and head straight to the Pouliches.”

Sweet Lady is the last known foal out of the talented Christopher Wright-bred High Heel Sneakers, whose stakes success came in the Hermosa Beach H. From the family of the US Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Chris Evert (Swoon's Son) which also features the GIII Yerba Buena Breeders' Cup H. winner and G1 Premio Oaks d'Italia runner-up Hallowed Dream (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}), her previous black-type performer was the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}).

PRIX LA CAMARGO-Listed, €55,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-21, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:45.90, hy.
1–SWEET LADY (FR), 126, f, 3, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: High Heel Sneakers (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW-US, GSP-Fr, SP-Ity, $212,137), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Sundae Girl, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Charmie Carmie, by Lyphard
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. (€100,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Gemini Stud; B-Stratford Place Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Mickael Barzalona. €27,500. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, €51,150.
2–Tiger Tanaka (Ire), 126, f, 3, Clodovil (Ire)–Miss Phillyjinks (Ire), by Zoffany (Ire). (€6,500 Ylg '19 TIRSEP). O-Miguel Castro Megias; B-Kellsgrange Stud (IRE); T-Charley Rossi. €11,000.
3–Libertine (Ire), 126, f, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Miss Mariduff, by Hussonet. (€35,000 Ylg '19 SGASEP; €400,000 RNA HRA '20 ARARC; €200,000 RNA HRA '20 ARDEC). O-Jan Romel & Fabrice Vermeulen; B-Azienda Agricola Gennaro Stimola (IRE); T-Fabrice Vermeulen. €8,250.
Margins: 6, HD, 2. Odds: 3.80, 1.40, 22.00.
Also Ran: Galiana (Fr), Standby For Chaos (Ire), Izlaz (Ire), Ansilia (Ire), Nohand (GB). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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Mogul on Song For Sheema Classic

Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is in good form ahead of a start in the $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Mar. 27. Last seen in action taking the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December, the Coolmore partners-owned 4-year-old also saluted in the 2020 G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood in July, ran second in the Aug. 19 Great Voltigeur S. and returned to the winner's circle in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp in September. Fifth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf a month prior to his Hong Kong triumph, the 3.4-million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling will fly to Dubai on Monday and step out for morning trackwork after clearing 48 hours of quarantine on Thursday.

“We're happy with everything he's done,” trainer Aidan O'Brien, who won the race with the late St Nicholas Abbey (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in 2013, told the Tamarkuz Media notes team. “He had a little break after Hong Kong and then he got going again and seems to be in good form. He's a horse who takes his racing very well and we think he's ready to start back again.

“I suppose it is his first run of the season, but he ran in December and that's hopefully an advantage. He wouldn't have had as long a break as he would have had last year, so we're hoping he's well enough and fit enough to do himself justice, really.”

Comparing Mogul and his year-older full-brother Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who won the 2019 G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International S., O'Brien added, “Mentally they're a bit the same, but physically they're different. Mogul is probably a stronger, more powerful type of horse than Japan. Japan looks like a mile and a quarter, mile and a half horse, physically, whereas this horse looks more like a sprinter-miler. They're relaxed horses who sleep and eat well.

“He's a big, strong, powerful horse and there's a lot of Danehill in him, so he [Japan] carries plenty of condition. Even though he is fit and has done plenty of work, he still looks round and strong and looks more like a horse who will improve with the run, but that's the way he always looks.

“The quicker the ground the better. The flat track will suit him and a nice even pace will suit him. He likes to take his time and he comes home well. He's flying out on Monday and we will be on the track as soon as we can.”

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Sky Darci Leaves Fownes, Moreira ‘Beaming’ After HK Derby

by Alan Carasso

Any time you hand the car keys to Joao Moreira, you have a fair bit of confidence that good things are to come. Still, entering Sunday's HK$24-million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin, there were questions aplenty as to whether Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), the race's highest-rated galloper, would see out the trip, having underperformed in the two lead-up events. But, one race after bringing up his 100th winner for the season, the 'Magic Man' put a brilliant steer on the Kiwi-bred and the pair just lasted, as Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) were zeroing in late.

Only sixth as the favourite to Excellent Proposal (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the Jan. 24 Hong Kong Classic Mile and seventh behind Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) Feb. 21–albeit with imperfect trips–Sky Darci drew two for the Derby to the delight of trainer Caspar Fownes, who admitted his charge would benefit from a low gate. The NZ$160,000 NZB Premier Yearling (Book 1) bounced well and settled in about fifth spot early as Healthy Happy and Silver Express (Aus) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) put several lengths on the well-backed Shadow Hero (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}) going to the backstretch. Moreira was only too happy to play the hand he'd been dealt and remain glued to the paint, and when the forwardly placed Russian Emperor slid away from the fence and the pace dropped passing midway, Sky Darci immediately seized upon the opportunity to improve, a move that would prove decisive in the end.

Pinching ground on the turn, Sky Darci was on the heels of the leading duo as Silver Express overhauled Healthy Happy nearing the straight. Pulled out around that duo, Sky Darci hit the front with a bit more than a furlong to travel and knuckled down late to become the fourth New Zealand-bred Derby winner in the last six years. Last year's G3 Hampton Court S. hero Russian Emperor proved his Classic Cup effort (at 80-1) was no fluke, just missing as the $4.70 (37-10) choice, while treble Chilean Group 1 winner Panfield hit the line hard for third. Excellent Proposal rallied down the center for fourth.

“I had to angle my way out, but once I got into the straight, I had taken the lead a little bit too early, but I knew I was on the best horse in the race and I had a lot of confidence in the horse,” said Moreira, adding to his victory aboard the late Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) in 2017. “I knew they were coming, they were good horses as well. He's not a specialist 2000-metre horse, in my opinion, but he's got heart and even if they were coming, he was giving his best.”

It was also a second Derby success for Fownes, who saddled Super Satin (NZ) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) to success in the 2010 renewal.

“It was the longest [last] 200 metres I've ever seen in a race, that's for sure,” the always-accessible Fownes told the HKJC notes team. “It felt like an eternity there and I'm glad he stuck his neck out and got the winning result. All in all, it's a magic day–massive satisfaction. This horse with the owners [the Kwan family], it's magic, they've been incredible people to train for.”

Sky Darci was the only member of the 14-horse field who was untried overseas prior to his import, similar to 2020 winner Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro).

WATCH: Sky Darci digs deep to win the BMW Hong Kong Derby

Pedigree Notes:

Sky Darci–the third and most successful of his dam's produce to race in Hong Kong–is the 52nd black-type winner for his sire, whose 11 Group 1 winners include D B Pin (NZ), winner in Hong Kong of the Centenary Sprint Cup and twice runner-up in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. Despite his sire's propensity to throw a top sprinter, there is plenty in Sky Darci's pedigree to suggest he could stay the 2000 metres. His half-brother Chocante (NZ) was a Group 3 winner in New Zealand going an extended mile and a quarter and won the G2 Brisbane Cup over 2200 metres while finishing third in the G1 The Metropolitan H. (2400m) in Sydney. Sky Darci's second dam was a daughter of Red Chiffon, who annexed the G3 Canterbury Gold Cup going 2000 metres and was third in the 1988 G1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Sky Darci is the third winner of the Hong Kong Derby in six years to be raised at Highden Park in New Zealand. Sam and Libby Bleakley's operation was also responsible for 2018 Derby hero Ping Hai Star (NZ) (Nom du Jeu {NZ}), who was unsold on a bid of NZ$40,000 when consigned by Highden Park to the 2015 NZBSEL sale. They also had their hands on 2016 Derby winner and future Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), as well as Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), two-time Horse of the Year who was third to Rapper Dragon in 2017 and became a two-time winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.

Sky Darci is the fourth consecutive Derby winner to go under the hammer at the Karaka sales. In addition to Ping Hai Star, Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) was sold for NZ$210,000 as a yearling in 2016 and current Hong Kong king of the hill Golden Sixty fetched NZ$300,000 at the auction house's Ready To Run sale in 2017.

The dam of Chocante's gelded 2-year-old full-brother El Vencedor (NZ), Strictly Maternal is represented by a yearling full-brother to Sky Darci and missed to Shocking for 2020 before returning to the same stallion.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
BMW HONG KONG DERBY 2021-LR, HK$24,000,000 (£2,221,667/€2,593,350/A$3,975,501/US$3,090,927), Sha Tin, 3-21, NH/SH4yo, 2000mT, 2:01.32, gd.
1–SKY DARCI (NZ), 126, g, 4, by Darci Brahma (NZ)
1st Dam: Strictly Maternal (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ)
2nd Dam: Take Silk (NZ), by Star Way (GB)
3rd Dam: Red Chiffon (Aus), by Sovereign Red (NZ)
1ST STAKES WIN. (NZ$160,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Jessica Kwan Mun Hang; B-M W Freeman & D G Price; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Joao Moreira; HK$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-HK, 12-6-3-0, HK$21,037,965. *1/2 to Chocante (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}), GSW & G1SP-Aus, GSW-NZ, $315,590.
2–Russian Emperor (Ire), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Atlantic Jewel (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mike Cheung Shun Ching; B-Coolmore, Lauri Macri & Parnters; T-Douglas Whyte; J-Karis Teetan; HK$5,280,000.
3–Panfield (Chi), 126, c, 4, Lookin At Lucky–Esterina (Arg), by Orpen. O-Yue Yun Hing; B-Agricola Taomina Ltda; T-Tony Millard; J-Chad Schofield; HK$2,400,000.
Margins: HD, HF, 1. Odds: 11-2, 37-10F, 25-1.
Also Ran: Excellent Proposal (Aus), Delightful Laos (Ire), Healthy Happy (Aus), Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), Packing Waltham (Fr), Silver Express (Aus), Lucky Express (Aus), Maximus (Ger), Shadow Hero (Aus), Congratulation, Conqueror (Aus).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.

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Joan Of Arc Unleashed In Curragh Opener

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today's Observations features a daughter of one of Coolmore's top producers.

2.30 Curragh, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT
JOAN OF ARC (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of the standout characters on The Curragh's 2021 turf season opener, being Ballydoyle's full-sister to the Classic-winning Gleneagles (Ire) and Marvellous (Ire) and Group 1 winner Happily (Ire). An entry in the G1 1000 Guineas, the February-foaled bay missed out on a debut win by a nose at Dundalk in November and has an experience edge on a pair of Dermot Weld-trained Moyglare Stud homebreds including Emilie Gray (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the first foal out of the dual Group 3-winning Carla Bianca (Ire) (Dansili {GB}).

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