Bennett Racing 4yo mare Cheval Chic made it a one act affair again when winning at Geelong by 1.75L on Wednesday. The daughter of Written Tycoon has always shown very nice ability but had also shown she has a few quirky ways about her.
First up at Werribee she bolted in 5 Len over 1100m in December. There she sat off the speed, rounded them up and simply careered away in very good time on the wet track. On Wednesday at Geelong, with Liam Riordan riding again, Cheval Chic jumped well but eased back to be in the 2nd pair but travelling well in the small field of just 6 runners. The leader set a steady pace and kicked for home before the turn. Cheval Chic moved to the outside and started her chase under riding. On straightening she took over half way down the straight to record another impressive win, easing down and setting a class record into the bargain on an effected track. Her time 1m07.18s carrying 57kgs was fantastic and exactly the same time the winner of the other race over the distance ran earlier in the day. This was 9.18lens better than standard time (last time she was 13.86lens better than standard). Interestingly, the winner of Race 2, Steely Hustler, had run a distant 3rd to Cheval Chic at it’s previous run which really franked the Cheval Chic form.
The mare who is notorious for getting wound up pre race, was a little more settled in the parade ring and by the time she had got to the barriers she had only just started to sweat up. Danny and his Team have learnt from previous experience that the mare just does’t handle hot race day conditions and she certainly had conditions to suit with the weather cooler n Wednesday after a few unseasonal rains the previous days. Cheval Chic is a lightly raced, very promising well bred daughter of Champion sire Written Tycoon and interesting to strengthen her claims for higher targets, she has comfortably beaten the clock at both her wins and put the field away quickly in the straight. Another great result for her owners and Danny O’Brien and his Team at Barwon Heads. A lot of work has gone into this mare and Danny felt there was bigger and brighter things ahead for her. The 4yo mare has taken her record now to 6 starts -2 wins :2 x 2nds and prizemoney of $60,575.
A 180k purchase from the 2021 Magic Millions Yearling sale, Cheval Chic was bred by great South Australian Nursery Mill Park. Cheval Chic is the best to race for the Gr2 placed Snitzel mare Moreau. The leggy daughter of Champion Sire Written Tycoon owns a strong International family with her 2nd dam a ½ sister to the successful Japanese sire Vril. Her 4th dam is the dam of Champions the unbeaten 2yo ARAZI (Blushing Groom) Champion 2YO in USA in 1991. 9 wins-7 at 2-1000m to 1700m, Deauville Prix Morny, Gr.1, Longchamp Prix de la Salamandre, Gr.1, Grand Criterium, Gr.1, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Gr.1. sire and NOVERRE (Rahy). Champion 3YO Male Miler in GB in 2001. 5 wins-4 at 2, 3 in succession-1005m to 1609m, Goodwood Sussex S., Gr.1, Doncaster Champagne S., Gr.2, 2d Ascot Queen Elizabeth II S., Gr.1. sire. Group 1 Champions from the family incl Ajdal, Flying Partner, Joyeux Danseur, Jim French.
Congratulations to all owners on Cheval Chic’s brilliant win and again thankyou to Danny O’Brien and his Team.
