By Tom Frary
Coming to the fore with a win in the Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit over this track and trip Mar. 16, Fas took a leap forward here with an all-the-way dismissal of some of France's quickest sophomores. Third in the 6 1/2-furlong Listed Prix Saraca at Maisons-Laffitte in mid-September and also in the G3 Prix Eclipse when involved in a three-way photo at this distance back there just nine days later, the bay revisited that circuit to be fourth in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte the following month. Looking a more powerful proposition in the Ronde de Nuit, he was in a different league to his contemporaries this time allowed to bowl along in front from the outset by Maxime Guyon. Leaving behind the hot favourite and previously-unbeaten filly Mrs Danvers (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) as he surged clear from over a furlong out, he hit the line strong to register a resounding success.
Royal Ascot now looms large on his horizon. “He is so fast,” commented trainer Pia Brandt, who had dismissed plans to step him up in trip for Monday's G3 Prix Djebel. “He was a little bit more manageable than last time and quickened brilliantly to win in very good style. He is very easy to train and does little in the mornings, keeping his best for the afternoons so it is not a problem keeping him fresh for the G1 Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot June 23]. He will not run in between.” Fas is the first foal out of the listed-placed Sotka, who also has a 2-year-old daughter of Dawn Approach (Ire) named Vlatka (Ire) and a yearling filly by Kodiac (GB). She is a half-sister to the five-times group 1-winning sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and also the G3 Cornwallis S. runner-up Cornus (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), so the basis for Fas's sprinting prowess is there for all to see. This is also the family of the sires Tychonic (GB) and Fine Edge (GB).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX SIGY-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-9, 3yo, 6fT, 1:08.43, gd.
1–@FAS (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Sotka (GB) (SP-Fr), by Dutch Art (GB)
2nd Dam: Demerger, by Distant View
3rd Dam: Merida (GB), by Warning (GB)
(€50,000 RNA Ylg '15 TAOCT). O-Alain Jathiere & Zalim Bifov; B-Zalim Bifov (IRE); T-Pia Brandt; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-2, €115,050. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Precieuse (Ire), 122, f, 3, Tamayuz (GB)–Zut Alors (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Mme Anne-Marie Hayes; B-Knocktoran Stud (IRE); T-Fabrice Chappet. €16,000.
3–Spanish Fly (Ire), 122, f, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Hundredsnthousands (Ire), by Thousand Words (GB). (€18,000 Ylg '15 GOFSPT). O-Maldon Racing SL; B-Mrs Diane Williams (IRE); T-Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez. €12,000.[bullet ad=”mab-purchased-by”]Margins: 3HF, 2HF, NK. Odds: 5.60, 4.30, 13.20.
Also Ran: Capchop (Fr), Tresorier (GB), Mrs Danvers (GB), Farshad (Ger), Tahoo (Ire), Upendi (Fr), Hyper Hyper (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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