French Group Three Winner for Tale of the Cat
20th October 2008
Tale of the Cat has been hitting the mark worldwide this year and added a new string to his bow on Sunday with a Group Three win in France for talented juvenile Naval Officer (2c Tale of the Cat x Wandering Star, by Red Ransom).A winner at his first two starts, Naval Officer finished second in the Group Three Prix des Chenes at his most recent run and with the addition of blinkers was able to make the required improvement for a stakes victory of his own.
He took the 1800 metre event by a neck after being shuffled back to third from his early position in the lead.
“The first-time blinkers certainly helped him concentrate more, and although at one stage I was worried he was a bit too keen, jockey [Ioritz Mendizabal] did well to take him back and give him a breather,” said winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.
“He showed signs of immaturity, but is definitely a horse with potential, so we will put him away now until next year and give him time before bringing him back with the Classics in mind.”
A homebred for Joseph Alllen, Naval Officer has the overall record of three wins and a second from four starts and is the 52nd stakes-winner worldwide for Tale of the Cat.
From the Group Two winning Red Ransom mare Wandering Star, Naval Officer is a half-brother to the dam of French stakes-winner War Officer from the extended family of successful sire Silver Hawk.
