Two Haras du Logis stallions enjoyed great results at Saint-Cloud on Easter Sunday as Slickly six-year-old Gris de Gris landed the feature race, the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc, while Simon de Montfort, a three-year-old colt by King's Best, advertised his Classic claims in the Listed Prix Francois Mathet.
Gris de Gris, who was recording back-to-back wins in the Prix Edmond Blanc, has also won the G2 Prix du Muguet (in 2008) and has been successful in five Listed races throughout his thoroughly admirable career, which also includes finishing runner-up in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan, the G2 Prix Dollar and Prix du Muguet in 2009. Out of Deesse Grise (Lead on Time), he was bred by Jean-Claude Seroul, who also bred Layman's first winner, Gerash, who won at Marseille Borely on Friday.
Earlier on the Saint-Cloud card, Simon de Montfort confirmed that he is on course for some fancy engagements in the coming months with victory in the 2000m Listed Prix Francois Mathet at Saint-Cloud. A full-brother to G2-winning miler Notability, the Darley-bred is out of the Caerleon mare Noble Rose and won twice last year for trainer Andre Fabre. He holds entries for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey-Club.
Simon de Montfort continues a purple patch for King's Best, who was represented by G2 Godolphin Mile winner Calming Influence and Dubai World Cup third Allybar (beaten a nose and a short-head) at Meydan last weekend.
Farther afield, Able One, a seven-year-old son of Cape Cross, lifted the Listed Chairman’s Trophy over a mile at Sha Tin on Easter Sunday.
Bred in New Zealand by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan of Cambridge Stud, Able One was victorious in the G1 Champions Mile at the same track in 2007 and finished runner-up to the crack miler Good Ba Ba in the 2008 Hong Kong Mile at the International Meeting.
The tough gelding is a son of the Danehill mare Gardenia, who has also bred the Listed Cullen Stakes winner Florilegium to Cape Cross.
Able One is one of seven individual Group One winners for his sire, including the outstanding Sea The Stars and Ouija Board. Among Cape Cross’s Classic entries this season are Atlantis Star in the 2000 Guineas and Field Day and Mudaaraah in the 1000 Guineas, while Behkabad and Saturday’s impressive Conditions race (formerly the Easter Stakes) winner Aldovrandi head his entries for the French Classics.
In Italy, three-year-old Kheleyf filly Misano Lasen gained her first balck type when runner-up in the Listed Premio Torricola at Capanelle.
