By Sean Cronin
Frankuus, who annexed last term's G3 Prix de Conde before running eighth in a stellar renewal of the Oct. 30 G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, opened his sophomore campaign with a third in Sandown's Apr. 28 G3 Classic Trial and continued his winless streak when fourth in the May 13 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial and eighth in the June 23 G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot. Fourth next time in Sandown's July 7 Listed Gala S., he went postward coming off a second in Hamilton's July 21 Listed Glasgow S. and led from the outset. Holding sway throughout, the grey poached a decisive lead approaching the final quarter mile and kept on resolutely under late urging to hold Mount Logan (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for a third black-type score. “I thought he was stuck between two stools in that he wasn't quite top class, but was too high for handicaps,” explained winning trainer Mark Johnston after claimimg a third success in the event. “He's been running good races, but last time was definitely his best run of the season. On paper he had a bit to find today, but we knew he liked the track as he won here last year. He had conditions in his favour and handles cut in the ground. All horses like good ground, but not all appreciate some give. I will have to go back and think about what to do next, but it would be nice to get another Group win out of him because it's been frustrating for his owners.”
Frankuus is a half-brother to G3 Prix Thomas Bryon victor and G1 Criterium International third Us Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), the 2-year-old filly Sensory (Ire) (Dream Ahead) and a yearling filly by Dream Ahead. His second dam is G1 Phoenix S.-winning Irish highweight Pharaoh's Delight (Ire) (Fairy King), who also hit the board in a further four top-level contests, and she is also the granddam of GI Breeders' Cup Turf and GI Man o' War S.-winning sire Red Rocks (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFRED ROSE OF LANCASTER S.-G3, £63,000, HAY, 8-12, 3yo/up, 10f 100yT, 2:14.46, g/s.
1–FRANKUUS (IRE), 121, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)">Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Dookus (Ire), by Linamix (Fr)
2nd Dam: Pharaoh's Delight (Ire), by Fairy King
3rd Dam: Ridge the Times, by Riva Ridge
(€130,000 Ylg '15 GOFORB). O-Hussain Lootah & Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-Joe Fanning. £35,727. Lifetime Record: 13-4-1-2, $152,787. *1/2 to Us Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), GSW & G1SP-Fr, $448,662. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mount Logan (Ire), 129, g, 6, New Approach (Ire)–Vistaria, by Distant View. (70,000gns Wlg '11 TATFOA; €135,000 Ylg '12 GOFORB). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Ladyswood Stud & Canning Downs Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £13,545.
3–Laraaib (Ire), 121, c, 3, Pivotal (GB)–Sahool (GB), by Unfuwain. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows. £6,779.
Margins: 3/4, 5, HD. Odds: 8.00, 6.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Euginio (Ire), Gabrial (Ire), Arthenus (GB), Autocratic (GB), Francis of Assisi (Ire), Ayrad (Ire), Restorer (GB), Larchmont Lad (Ire). Scratched: Baydar (GB), Spark Plug (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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