Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) has had a busy year with his two year-olds and added a new stakes-winner to the tally overnight in France when unbeaten colt Topgear scored a determined win in the Group III Prix Eclipse (1200m) at Chantilly.
Trained by Fabrice Chappet, Topgear had won his two previous outings at Deauville and made the step up to Black Type company with a stylish effort.
He tracked the leaders in fourth place before accelerating to the front and had enough left at the finish to repel a late challenge from German trained entry Best Flying to win by a short neck.
“That was a good performance and he kept his unbeaten record intact,” said Fabrice Chappet.
“He won over six-and-a-half [furlongs] last time, but I felt it was not yet the time to stretch him out. I thought this six [furlongs] would suit him anyway. He's entered in the [Oct. 3 G1] Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over seven [furlongs] on Arc day, but he will also be entered in the [six-furlong G2] Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. At this stage, the latter seems the more logical step.”
Topgear was a 200,000 euro purchase from the Arqana Deauville Yearling Sale last year and is the best of three winners from Miss Lech, a winning half-sister by Giant’s Causeway to Group II winner Guilt Trip. The extended family is noted for producing Melbourne Cup winner Americain.
Topgear is the 24th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett, who stands his first season for Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $71,500.
Wootton Bassett has had 15 two year-old winners this year including five stakes-winners and a further three stakes-placed horses.
