If Rouhiya’s success in the earlier fillies’ Classic came somewhat from left field then the circumstances surrounding Metropolitan’s defeat of Dancing Gemini in the May 12 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas—G1) were even more dramatic.
As the runners filed around the Longchamp paddock, the sudden arrival of a huge electrical storm forced officials to send the 13 Classic colts back to the stables, and the ensuing delay saw the Grande Piste lashed by torrential rain and hail.
It was subsequently hard to know what the true going was by the time the field was sent on its way some 35 minutes late, but what can be said with certainty is that Alexis Pouchin continued his dream run of big-race success, making full use of a low draw aboard Metropolitan to give Chantilly-based Italian Mario Baratti a first group 1 victory.
The unbeaten Henry Longfellow suffered repeated buffetting in behind and failed to get involved, while Dancing Gemini cut into Metropolitan’s advantage all the way to the line under Dylan Browne McMonagle, failing by half a length. Alcantor and Diego Velazquez were close up in third and fourth.
Mirroring the combination of pride and frustration felt by Brian Meehan following his near miss with Kathmandu earlier in the afternoon, Dancing Gemini’s trainer Roger Teal said: “If it hadn’t rained I don’t know what would have happened; I think we’d have been there and reeled them in.
“That’s two Guineas I’ve been second in now, but he’s done us so proud, it’s just fantastic.”
McMonagle described Dancing Gemini as “a push-button ride” and told connections there would be no problem in stepping the son of Camelot up in trip, though Teal was uncertain whether his Derby destination will be Epsom or Chantilly.
“We’ll let the dust settle and then we’ll have a discussion,” he said. “Whether he’ll stay a mile and a half around Epsom or maybe do you come back here over a mile and a quarter—there’s lots to discuss.
“He’s always had that kick and maybe he might have too much speed for a mile and a half, and coming here might be the wise thing. He’ll have come on for today and he’s had no prep.”
Metropolitan was beaten two and a half lengths by fifth home Ramadan , when fifth of six in the Prix de Fontainebleau, but both Baratti and Pouchin—whose star continues to rise at a meteoric rate—were confident of a bold showing from the son of Zarak .
Pouchin said: “He had a nice quiet comeback and didn’t run all that badly if you watched it closely. Today he was drawn one and had everything to gain. We had a good run through and then he was brave at the end. He’s a very good horse. He has a turn of foot that all the good horses have; not a real kick, but he accelerates and then keeps going.”
Baratti didn’t seem minded to step his winner up in trip for the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club and will consider a first trip to Royal Ascot.
“He is a magnificent-looking horse and I think he will continue to get better with age,” said Baratti. “Being drawn in stall one was a gift from above. I don’t really want to stretch him out, and although he’s not entered in the St James’s Palace, we could look at supplementing him.”
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