By Sean Cronin
Stall TMB's Mythico (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) opened this season with a last-of-eight finish in ParisLongchamp's Apr. 11 G3 Prix Noailles before running second to Best of Lips (Ire) (The Gurkha {GB}) in Krefeld's Apr. 24 G3 Dr Busch-Memorial last time and took advantage as that rival floundered in Monday's G2 36th Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas) at Cologne to secure Classic glory in game fashion. The March-foaled bay had also finished behind Best of Lips when third in the Rhineland venue's Oct. 11 G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten and closed a four-race juvenile campaign with a first career success in Krefeld's Nov. 15 G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen. Settling into a smooth rhythm under a firm hold in second after breaking on the lead, the 17-5 second favourite powered back to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and had established enough of an advantage in the closing stages to just hold the late rattle of Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}) by a short head for a career high.
“He was in full swing entering the straight so I didn't dare try and hold him back,” said winning rider Rene Piechulek, fresh from victory in Sunday's G2 Diana Trial and substituting for the injured Maxim Pecheur here. “He responded well to everything I asked in the straight and just kept going. He began to falter in the closing stages and started looking about and shortening his stride. Luckily, we got across the line in just time.”
Mythico becomes the third Classic winner for his sire (by In the Wings {GB}) and is the third foal for Madhyana (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). That dual winner's first produce is Mythico's full-sister Mythica (Ger), who finished second in both Listed BMW Preis Dusseldorf and Listed Kolner Stutenpreis, and she has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Zelzal (Fr), named Mythicara (Ire), and a yearling colt by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) to come. Mythico's second dam, Listed Prix Solitude victress Madhya (Gone West), is kin to MGSP Listed Criterium du Bequet victor Wilki (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and a daughter of G3 Prix Chloe and GIII Noble Damsel H. winner Khumba Mela (Ire) (Hero's Honor), herself the leading performer produced by a daughter of G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp heroine Luth Enchantee (Fr) (Be My Guest).
Monday, Cologne, Germany
36TH MEHL-MULHENS-RENNEN – GERMAN 2000 GUINEAS-G2, €130,000, Cologne, 5-24, 3yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:36.63, g/s.
1–MYTHICO (FR), 128, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Madhyana (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
2nd Dam: Madhya, by Gone West
3rd Dam: Khumba Mela (Ire), by Hero's Honor
(€24,000 RNA Ylg '19 BBAGS). O-Stall TMB; B-Dr Thomas M Bretzger (FR); T-Jean-Pierre Carvalho; J-Rene Piechulek. €60,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-2-2, €130,180. *Full to Mythica (Ire), MSP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Best Lightning (Fr), 128, c, 3, Sidestep (Aus)–Best Dreaming (Ger), by Big Shuffle. (€9,000 RNA Ylg '19 BBAGO). O-Stall Ad Episas; B-Hermann Pfister (FR); T-Andreas Suborics. €21,000.
3–Best of Lips (Ire), 128, c, 3, The Gurkha (Ire)–Beata (Fr), by Silver Frost (Ire). (90,000gns RNA Ylg '19 TAOCT). O-Stall Lintec; B-Stall Parthenaue (IRE); T-Andreas Suborics. €11,000.
Margins: SHD, 2, SHD. Odds: 3.40, 5.40, 1.00.
Also Ran: Sampras (GB), Kings of Leon (Fr), Sagamore (Ger), Surin Beach (Ger), Timotheus (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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