Fascinating Rock (Ire)

Karl Burke trainee Convergent (Fascinating Rock), runner-up in last term's G1 Deutsches Derby, won the best-turned-out award prior to Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise John Porter Stakes at Newbury and claimed the main prize after overcoming traffic problems in the straight to register a third Group-race triumph. "If we can keep him sound and going the right way I think there is a Group 1 in him for sure," said Burke. "I suppose he could be the best we've had over these distances and before him it would be...

Karl Burke trainee Convergent (Fascinating Rock), who had hit the board in a stellar edition of May's G3 Chester Vase and July's G1 Deutsches Derby, gained his black-type breakthrough in the G3 Kilternan five weeks ago and climbed another rung up the ladder with a career best in Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp. "The race panned out exactly how I wanted it to," said winning rider Clifford Lee. "It was a strong gallop, but he's one of those that doesn't want being in front too soon....

    In this new semi-weekly series, the TDN takes a look at the notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column, Feb. 4-10, is highlighted by the victory of upwardly mobile mare Quattroelle (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the GIII Megahertz S. on Saturday.   No 'Quat'er Given In Megahertz Tally-Ho Stud's rising stallion star Mehmas has gone from strength to strength with his progeny, and his freshly minted 5-year-old daughter Quattroelle became his 12th graded/group winner from just three crops to race when running out a half-length...