It was terrific to see another of our Fastnet Rock colts break his maiden last night, with Mantastic saluting in a 1600m Maiden at Clairefontaine at his third start.
He has been an interesting character to say the least in his career to date. On debut at Chantilly, he jumped 22 lengths behind the leader, yet remarkably was able to finish in third position. While he only tacked onto the rear of the field at the 800m, he was still able to produce a solid turn of foot in the run to the line to finish in the placings in a field of eight.
In his second start, he went to Chantilly again to race in a 1600m Maiden. On the all-weather track this time, he again finished in the placings. Similarly to his first start, he was again slow to jump, however this time only missing the jump by three lengths. In the small field of five, he struggled with the tempo and trailed the second last horse by two lengths for the majority of the race. In the straight it was evident that the track didn’t suit him, as it appeared he couldn’t get his feet into the ground and was unable to make up ground. He eventually finished the race in third place, finishing just over three lengths behind the winner.
Last night in his third start, he stayed at the 1600m. Melbourne Cup winning jockey Gérald Mossé took the ride from Vincent Cheminaud, who had ridden him in his previous starts. Trainer John Hammond opted to race him back a the turf track. Whilst still slow out of the gates and settled towards the rear of the field, he was far more tractable in running and made a sustained run through the field as they fanned into the straight. He was strong to the line and was a comfortable winner.
This 3-year-old colt looks very progressive and appears to have a bright future.