3-YEAR-OLD BAY COLT
AL KAZEEM x FUSCHIA (Averti)
Trainer: Pascal Bary
Breeder: D.J Deer
Owners: Alain Benaim & Ecurie Ades Hazan
Recently switched to Pascal Bary, following the fall out from the Marcialis issues, Harper is an excellent recruit for the yard. 2 wins from 2 starts as a juvenile, this son of Al Kazeem has shown a good attitude on both his starts and will surely improve as he goes up in trip this year. His dam, Fuschia, was a 7-furlong all weather winner for Roger Charlton and has produced sprint winners Mr Black and Tweet Lady. This blend of speed and stamina should serve Harper well in his classic year.
Having won his maiden at Saint-Cloud, with 2 subsequent winners in behind, Harper was an impressive winner of the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux in October, a race won by Pao Alto in 2019 and even Almanzor in 2014. Having been challenged in the straight, Harper put his head down and battled on well to record a 2 length victory.
Having ridden him to victory, Gerald Mosse told Jour de Galop " He seems to be a very good horse, who will progress. He had won on debut and today, he confirms his promise at a much higher level. He also passes the the test on very soft ground, but I knew the ground wasn't going to get in the way. He has a good mentality and I think he has not finished improving. Even if it is not the best Listed race, he showed that he could quicken well".
Bought for just 800 Guineas as a yearling, he improved to reach 26000 Guineas in the Tattersalls Book 3 sale. That could look like a very shrewd piece of business in time. Stamina is always going to be his main asset, with entries made in the Prix du Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris later in the season. His ability to find under pressure and quicken when required will be a huge advantage in races around Chantilly and Paris Longchamp that are often very tactical and it will be a great surprise if he isn't able to add to his tally this year.
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