A week after securing a defining win in the USD1 million 143rd Kentucky Oaks, members of the China Horse Club have continued to sail a wave of international success with a trio of winners across the United States and Australia.
The regally bred colt France was the first to strike when delivering a pulverizing sprint to come from last to win in the AUD400,000 Scone Guineas at a flagship meeting in the heartland of Australia’s breeding industry. The display was a reminder of the untapped ability of the near black three-year-old who is expected to target major stakes races in Brisbane, Queensland in the coming weeks.
France(no 8) was the first to strike when delivering a pulverizing sprint to come from last to win in the AUD400,000 Scone Guineas
“I didn’t want to get that far back early but from that barrier I had no option and the colt just went to ‘sleep’ out the back,” winning jockey Tye Angland told The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
“We were following the good chances and, to this colt’s credit, when I got him to the outside he showed a really good turn of foot.”
Henry Field, principal of Newgate Farm, was glowing in his praise of the colt and the ability of training duo Peter and Paul Snowden to get the best out of him.
“There is an abundance of options for him up [in Brisbane],” Field said post-race.
“He has come from the back and run past a G1 Victoria Derby winner today, so there is no doubting he is a very talented colt.”
France is the second winner of the Inglis Sale Series this season with Calanda having annexed the Inglis Sprint (1100m) with a fast finishing display back in November.
Within 24 hours of France’s heroics, the China Horse Club’s American based operation kicked into overdrive with success on both the East Coast and West Coast in quick succession. Benefactor made a winning return at his first start for the year when saluting at Gulfstream Park (Florida) by an effortless two lengths. The lightly raced performer showed he is endowed with abilities of his own when settling on the speed and racing away to claim the 1200m maiden special weight at his second career start.
Within a few hours the China Horse Club’s red and yellow silks were once again in the winner’s circle when American Anthem was equally as emphatic when returning to winning form in the USD100,000 G3 Lazaro Barerra Stakes in California. The Kentucky Oaks winning combination of trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Mike Smith once again united with great precision, delivering a tactical masterclass with the lightly raced but highly talented colt.
American Anthem began well from barrier one before being eased out of the early speed battle, switched around heels and sitting in a stalking position. Once Smith kicked him into gear the long striding bay effortlessly circled his rivals before racing away early in the straight and maintaining his near two length advantage all the way to the line.
“It was a great game plan on Bob’s part,” Smith said.
“With the one hole, you usually want to get out there running, but he said to ride him with a lot of confidence, see if they’ll go on away from him and he’ll come running. It worked.”
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