At Chantilly, the exciting Pia Brandt-trained three year-old colt Fas put in an outstanding performance to run away with the Group III Prix Sigy over six furlongs by three and a half lengths.
The three-year-old, bred by joint-owner Zalim Bifov, looks sure to figure
highly in the sprinting division and his next start is set to be the Group I
Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot."He is so fast," Brandt told TDN. "He quickened brilliantly to win in very good style. He is very easy to train and does little in the mornings, keeping his best for the afternoons so it is not a problem keeping him fresh for the Group I Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot June 23]. He will not run in between."
Fas is certainly bred to go fast being from stakes-placed Dutch Art mare Sotka, a half-sister to dual Group I Royal Ascot King's Stand Stakes winner Sole Power, a five time Group I winner rated the Champion European Sprinter of 2014.
Meanwhile at Naas, Mary Slack's colours were carried to victory in the Group III Gladness Stakes by four year-old mare Diamond Fields.
The Fozzy Stack-trained mare made the frame in Group II company at both Belmont and Saratoga last year.
"She was a little bit unlucky last year in the Sandringham (at Royal Ascot), and in America the saddle slipped one day and she also finished third in a Grade 2 in Saratoga," said Stack. "It lashed rain beforehand and the ground was very slippy. She ran well at Belmont on her last start behind a very smart filly, and probably didn't just get the 1m1f that day.
"She's smart and may come back here for the Group III Athasi, and then maybe Ascot, although there is another race back in New York around that time so we'll have to see where we go.
"I'm very pleased for the owner, Mary Slack. It's the biggest winner she has had in Ireland or England. She is a good supporter of the yard, and has a stud farm down in South Africa so I'm sure she will breed off Diamond Fields at some stage."
Redoute's Choice featured when Gold Luck, the three year-old half-sister to
legendary mare Goldikova, landed her first stakes win in the Group III Chantilly
Prix Vanteaux.She won the nine furlong contest by a short head and has now won two of three starts.
"She is now another distinguished member of a fantastic family and this win is most important for a filly like her," trainer Freddy Head commented.
"She did well, as she hasn't blossomed yet and will improve most definitely improve off that. We have to think about coming back for the G1 Prix Saint-Alary [at Deauville May 14] now."
