Unbeaten Starspangledbanner Colt To Target Guineas

Classic hopeful Puchkine (3c Starspangledbanner – Vadyska, by So You Think) extended his unbeaten record when making an impressive return to action at Toulouse on Wednesday.

The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt won all three of his juvenile starts, including a Class 2 over Wednesday’s course and distance of a mile. Reunited with regular rider Jean-Bernard Eyquem on his first start since November, he was held up at the back of the field and quickened turning for home. Racing wide in the straight, he quickened to lead a furlong from home and was eased down with a three and a half length advantage.

“He was fresh, so this is encouraging,” Rouget later commented. “It wouldn't have been a big deal if he had been beaten today, because he was making his comeback. It's going to be a long season. The goal is to run the Poule d'Essai and before that, he will run the Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauléon, as we can't let him go two months without racing.”

Owned and bred by Alain Jathiere, the son of Starspangledbanner is a grandson of the multiple Group-placed Rockatella (Rock Of Gibraltar).