OTI will saddle up Fastnet Squall, by champion dual-hemisphere sire Fastnet Rock, at the famous Chantilly Racecourse in France in the early hours of Saturday morning. The 4YO bay gelding, trained by Simone Borgi, has won two of four starts and is coming off a 2400M win on his home track at Pau, in the south-west of France.
Born in Italy, Brogi is a young trainer forging a career in French racing. Brogi honed his craft under the tutelage of Pau based, Jean-Claude Rouget, a jockey come trainer with over 5000 wins to his credit.
Brogi has displayed patience beyond his years with Fastnet Squall who didn’t debut until the tail end of his three-year-old season when midfield in a 2100M race. Unheard of in Australia, the gelding then backed for his second start a fortnight later over 3000M at Senonnes-Pouance when producing a dominant win from a rearward settling position.
At his most recent outing, his first as a 4YO, Fastnet Squall settled at the tail of the field, made a sustained, wide run from the mid-point of the race and simply outstayed his rivals in the drive to the post.
Champion French hoop, Christophe Soumillon, will again partner Fastnet Squall in the 2700M contest (set to jump at 2.10AM AEDST) where he looks to have a fantastic winning chance.
Fastnet Squall is showing exciting staying potential and should he continue his climb through the grades in France there’s every chance he will make his way to Australia. The gelding’s stamina, coupled with an ability to sustain strong sectionals make him the ideal candidate for Australian staying contests.