By Sean Cronin
Bypassing a potential partnership with last term's G1 Middle Park S. and G1 Dewhurst S. hero U S Navy Flag (War Front), Ryan Moore's decision to instead partner G2 Superlative S. victor Gustav Klimt paid a handsome dividend here as the former pounced late to seal a decisive win in his first start since annexing that July 15 career high. Steadied last of the four runners as stablemate and G3 Killavullan S. winner Kenya tanked along on the front end, he was uncoiled in the straight to go second entering the final furlong as Imaging took over in front and was ridden out to inhale that rival nearing the line, winning with plenty in hand. “The [heavy] ground was far from ideal, but it was nice to get a run into him–as it's a long time since he ran–and we're very happy,” said Aidan O'Brien. “Ryan [Moore] was very impressed with the way he quickened in that ground. He's a real good-ground horse and Newmarket [for the May 5 G1 2000 Guineas] is the plan if everything is well.” Reflecting on the last-of-four finish of leading juvenile U S Navy Flag, the trainer added, “We knew US Navy Flag would hate the ground, but he needed to get out. He might go to the [2000] Guineas and he'll grow another leg between now and then.”
Gustav Klimt is one of five black-type performers produced by Listed Empress S. winner and G2 Prix Robert Papin runner-up Massarra (GB) (Danehill), and he is kin to G1 Gran Criterium-winning Italian highweight Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), G3 Silver Flash S. victress Wonderfully (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Listed Naas Sprint S. scorer Cuff (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 St James's Palace S. third Mars (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Massarra is herself a sibling of G1SW sire Invincible Spirit (Ire) (Green Desert), out of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), and she has also produced the 2-year-old filly Fire Fly (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Galileo (Ire).
Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-Listed, €50,000, LEO, 4-14, 3yo, 7fT, 1:38.60, hy.
1–GUSTAV KLIMT (IRE), 132, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Massarra (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, GSP-Fr), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Rafha (GB), by Kris (GB)
3rd Dam: Eljazzi, by Artaius
O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €29,500. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 4-3-0-0, $110,253. *Full to Wonderfully (Ire), GSW-Ire, £121,955; Cuff (Ire), SW-Ire; and Mars (Ire), G1SP-Eng & GSP-Ire, $153,762; and 1/2 to Nayarra (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Hwt. 2yo Filly & G1SW-Ity, MGSP-Eng & MSP-US, $268,629.
2–Imaging (GB), 129, c, 3, Oasis Dream (GB)">Oasis Dream (GB)–Mirror Lake (GB), by Dubai Destination. O-Khalid Abdullah. €10,000.
3–Kenya (Ire), 129, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Tender Morn, by Dayjur. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith. €5,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 11, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.50, 3.50, 2.00.
Also Ran: U S Navy Flag. Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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