Dicton, who was acquired after shedding maiden status for the Wertheimer brothers and Freddy Head in an Oct. 8 Saint-Cloud claimer, ran second in a Nov. 9 handicap back there before registering conditions scores at Deauville Dec. 27 and at Compiegne on sophomore return Mar. 9. Posting a career high in the Mar. 20 Listed Prix Omnium II back at Saint-Cloud last time, the bay took another giant step to with a determined effort in this illustrious trial. The bay was restrained in seventh after breaking keenly. Pushed along passing the quarter-mile marker, he seized the day when an opening appeared at the eighth pole and was driven out to prevail in ultimately snug fashion. “He's an amazing, most courageous horse who always gives his best no matter what the going,” enthused trainer Gianluca Bietolini. “He had a good trip and Olivier Perslier rode a great race. He'd worked well last week, but I didn't know what to expect here as he was up in class again. All I knew was that he was in remarkable condition, he hasn't stopped improving since he was claimed and is just one of those miracles in life.” Owner Robert Ng's racing manager Rupert Pritchard-Gordon added, “He is not entered in the [G1 Poule d'Essai des] Poulains so we will see what the owner wants to do. He might want to supplement him for that, he might wait for the [G1] St James's Palace [S. At Royal Ascot] or he might want to take him to Hong Kong. It will, of course, be his decision.” The winner, who is kin to the yearling filly Response (Hat Trick {Jpn}), is a grandson of Pas de Reponse (Danzig), Ch. 2-year-old Filly-Eur, Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 7-9f, G1SW-Eng, MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $347,321.
Wednesday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-20, 3yo, c, 8fT, 1:38.20, sf.
1–@DICTON (GB), 128, c, 3, by Lawman (Fr)
1st Dam: Saying (SW-Fr), by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Pas de Reponse, by Danzig
3rd Dam: Soundings, by Mr. Prospector
O-Robert Ng; B-Wertheimer & Frere (GB); T-Gianluca Bietolini; J-Olivier Peslier. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 10-6-1-0, €139,250. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Taareef, 128, c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Sacred Feather, by Carson City. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Dixiana Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €16,000.
3–Almanzor (Fr), 128, c, 3, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Darkova, by Maria's Mon. (€100,000 Ylg '14 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Antonio Caro & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Haras d'Etreham (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000.
Margins: NK, HF, HD. Odds: 8.60, 8.40, 10.40.
Also Ran: Vedevani (Fr), Royal Julius (Ire), Mont Ormel (Fr), Estikmaal (Ire), Millfield (Fr), Candide (Fr), Free From Desire (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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