By Sean Cronin
At comparative points of their career, it could be argued that Gold Luck is a step ahead of her illustrious half-sibling Goldikova now that she can boast a group win even if she had to work hard to do so. Whether she possesses the scope of her almost inimitable predecessor is open to question and it could be that she was fortunate to hold on here with the race's eye-catcher Hebah looking a shade unlucky, but it is a case of so far, so good for the homebred. Off the mark with a narrow debut win over a mile at Maisons-Laffitte in September, the bay was not disgraced when runner-up to Monday's G3 Prix Djebel contender Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead) in the Listed Prix Isonomy also at that distance at Deauville in October. Building on that experience here, she gave a show of resilience and will-to-win that proved one of Goldikova's myriad of qualities to deny TDN Rising Star Monroe Bay in a prolonged tussle.
Always close to the pace set by the free-running Monroe Bay, Gold Luck was trapped three-wide until securing second before the end of the back straight. At work shortly after the turn for home, she managed to inch past the favourite in the final stride for a hard-earned success as Hebah closed strongly after a less-than-straightforward trip. “She is now another distinguished member of a fantastic family and this win is most important for a filly like her,” trainer Freddy Head commented. “She did well, as she hasn't blossomed yet and will most definitely improve off that. We have to think about coming back for the G1 Prix Saint-Alary [at Deauville May 14] now.” She will be re-opposed by Monroe Bay in that contest according to her trainer Pascal Bary. “I am very happy, because she was a difficulty filly to load last year but behaved very nicely here and is definitely more mature mentally now,” he explained. “She was a little bit too fresh and did too much early, but it was most encouraging and she will now go for the Saint-Alary.”
Gold Luck becomes the sixth pattern-race winner for Born Gold, with her other significant half-siblings being the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova and also Anodin, whose success in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac preceded second placings in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix d'Ispahan. Members of this dynasty to further force the impression that it is one of the very best in recent months include last year's G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and the G3 Prix des Chenes scorer and leading Classic hope Akihiro (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). This winner is the last foal produced by Born Gold, who is now 26.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX VANTEAUX-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-9, 3yo, f, 9fT, 1:50.21, gd.
1–#@GOLD LUCK (FR), 126, f, 3, by Redoute's Choice (Aus)
1st Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
2nd Dam: Riviere d'Or, by Lyphard
3rd Dam: Gold River (Fr), by Riverman
O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Freddy Head; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €66,500. *1/2 to Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), 2x Ch. Grass Mare-US, Ch. Older Horse-Eur, Ch. Older Mare-Eur, MG1SW-Eng & Fr, MGISW-US, $7,176,551; Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa), G1SW-Fr, G1SP-Eng & GISP-US, $868,463; Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), G1SW-Fr, $1,127,103; Gold Sound (Fr) (Green Tune), GSW-Fr, $369,035; Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon), GSW-Fr; Born Something (Ire) (Caerleon), GSP-Fr & MSP-US, $153,159; and Red Tune (Fr) (Green Tune), GSP-Fr, $118,122. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Monroe Bay (Ire), 126, f, 3, Makfi (GB)–Lune Rose (GB), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€75,000 Ylg '15 AROCT). O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard & Lady Chryss O'Reilly; B-Petra Bloodstock Agency Ltd & Ecuries des Monceaux (IRE); T-Pascal Bary. €16,000.
3–Hebah (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Lia (Ire), by Desert King (Ire). (170,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Azienda Agricola Luciani Loreto (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000.
Margins: SHD, HD, 3/4. Odds: 3.20, 1.20, 7.20.
Also Ran: Vue Fantastique (Fr), Penny Lane (Ger), Uni (GB), Szolnok, Ghurfah (GB). Scratched: Wajnah (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
