International News For KZN This Week

Mr Greeley, the sire of Crusade, has featured prominently internationally once again with a Gr 3 win in France, and two seconds in America as a grandsire in a Gr 1 Santa Anita Derby and Gr 3 Bay Shore Stakes. Spectrum’s grandson Sangster places in a Gr 1 once again, while Miesque’s Approval’s half-brother takes home a Gr 3 in the Appleton Handicap at Gulfstream Park.

TDN reports that What a Name, by Mr Greeley out of Bonnie Byerley by Dayjur, established her credentials as one of her country’s leading juveniles in 2012 with a seven-length score in a Deauville conditions event in August, followed by a first Pattern success in the G3 Prix la Rochette at Longchamp and second in that venue’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day.

The chestnut filly was back among her own sex in the Gr 3 Prix Imprudence, but faced a strong line-up nevertheless as she put her Classic credentials on the line. Tucked behind the leaders early by a confident Christophe-Patrice Lemaire, she was short of room for a few strides approaching the final furlong but picked up when freed in the final 200 yards to record an ultimately snug success from the surprise package Holy Dazzle. “We all knew about her quality, which she showed last year, but the question mark for me was her preparation leading into this race,” trainer Mikel Delzangles commented. “I wasn’t certain I had her fit enough, but she showed she retains all her ability and there is still a bit of room for improvement. She is a very relaxed filly and a very easy ride and is in both the English and French 1000 Guineas, so we’ll have to make a decision, but at this stage, I am favoring the [May 5] Newmarket race”.

On 6 April Flasback, by Tapit out of Mr Greeley mare Rhumb Line, ran second in the Gr 1 Santa Anita Derby over nine furlongs. Trained by Bob Baffert, the grey colt finished second by just over a length from Goldencents (Into Mischief). Flashback is also a winner of the Gr 2 Robert B Lewis Stakes, as well as running second in this race previously and the Gr 2 San Felipe Stakes.

Clearly Now, by Horse Greeley out of Bend by Arch, ran second in the seven-furlong Gr 3 Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct by a head from Declan’s Warrior (Majestic Warrior). Clearly Now is bred by Clairborne Farm and is a winner of the Gr 3 Swale Stakes, as well as placing in the Gr 3 Holy Bull Stakes.

Racingpost.com has reported that Aiden O’Brein said on Sunday that all is going well with his preparations for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas which sees leading fancy Cristoforo Colombo, a half-brother to Crusade, headed for the opening Classic of the season.

Speaking at the Curragh, Ireland’s champion trainer said: “All is well with our Guineas possibles – George Vancouver, Cristoforo Colombo, Pedro The Great and Mars. They are all still standing at this stage. Asked if Cristoforo Colombo was on target for the Classic, O’Brien said: “He’s good and we’re very happy with him.”

Sire Miesque’s Approval’s grey half-brother by Ghostzapper, Za Approval, won the Gr 3 Appleton Handicap in the USA at Gulfstream Park over eight furlongs on turf in firm going. He won by a length from Beau Choix (Elusive Quality) and King Kreesa (King Cugat). This is the first Group win for the grey gelding. Miesque’s Approval, sire of Gr 3 and Vodacom Durban July placed Eton Square, stands at Scott Bros.

Spectrum’s grandson Sangster has placed once again in the Gr 1 BMW Tancred Stakes over 2400m at Rosehill. Sangster finished third by a length from winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) and Silent Achiever (O’Reilly). Sangster is by Savabeel out of Quinta, by Spectrum. Sangster is a previous winner of the Gr 1 Auckland Cup, Gr 1 Victoria Derby, Gr 1 International Stakes and Gr 2 Avondale Cup.

Spectrum stands at Yellow Star Stud and had a winner in the Oaks Trial Listed at Turffontein over the weekend, with Tuscan Lass.