By Sean Cronin
Juddmonte's Obligate (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who led throughout when securing a Nov. 9 newcomers' heat going 7 1/2 furlongs at Saint-Cloud, mirrored those tactics to earn a first stakes rosette with a 3 1/2-length triumph in Chantilly's May 6 Listed Prix des Lilas on seasonal return last time and didn't waiver from her tried and tested method to deny familiar rival Pure Zen (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) in Sunday's G2 Prix de Sandringham back over the same one-mile trip at Chantilly. Sharply away from the outside stall to set a solid pace two lengths clear on the front end until turning for home, the 9-10 favourite was allowed a breather in the straight before stirring into action when threatened by closest pursuer Pure Zen with 300 metres remaining and kept on resolutely under a late drive to bravely hold that persistent challenger by a head in race-record time. “She's a very talented filly, but is not easy to train as she has a tendency to be quite keen,” explained trainer Pascal Bary. “She shows it going to post and again in her races, but she makes good use of her early speed and big stride. Besides having class, she has a huge heart and gives everything she has in every race. That was a hard race for her so we'll see how she comes out of it before making any plans. I think she has the speed for seven furlongs so the [July 7 G1] Prix Jean Prat [at Deauville] could be a possibility for her next race.”
Obligate is the first foal produced by the unraced Responsible (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the homebred bay is a full-sister to the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt Indigo Lake (GB) and a yearling filly. Her dam, a daughter of Listed Prix des Sablonnets victress and storied blue hen Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), is kin to top-level performers Intercontinental (GB) (Danehill), Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert), Deluxe (Storm Cat), Cacique (Ire) (Danehill), Champs Elysees (GB) (Danehill), Dansili (GB) (Danehill) and Banks Hill (GB) (Danehill). The latter is the dam of G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Romantica (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and MSW sire Ideal World (Kingmambo) while Heat Haze (GB) produced G3 Glorious S. winner Mirage Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), GI Maker's Mile S. third Forge (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Listed Michael Seely Memorial Fillies' S. runner-up Radiator (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE SANDRINGHAM-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-2, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:34.59 (NSR), gd.
1–OBLIGATE (GB), 123, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)">Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Responsible (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Hasili (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Kerali (GB), by High Line (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Pascal Bary; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €115,100. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pure Zen (Fr), 123, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Dolce Attesa (GB), by Dr Fong. O/B-Scuderia Micolo SNC (FR); T-Gianluca Bietolini. €28,600.
3–Glance (GB), 123, f, 3, Dansili (GB)–Look So (GB), by Efisio (GB). O-J H Richmond-Watson; B-Lawn Stud (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. €13,650.
Margins: HD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 0.90, 14.00, 19.00.
Also Ran: Hidden Message, Matematica (Ger), Olympe (Fr), Rocques (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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