Fabulous Fontainebleu

Alfred Nobel’s Fontainebleau gave a superb front-running exhibition to win the Western Racepix Handicap (1800m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The quality mare, drawn wide at a difficult start, worked over to run the first 1200m in a relaxed 1.14.75 under the accomplished Glenn Smith then lifted the tempo and dashed clear for a determined length win in 1.50.54.

Fontainebleau has now won five times from 1300m to 2000m headed by the Listed Belmont Oaks and Listed Starstruck Classic. She has also finished second in the Group 3 La Trice Classic-twice, Listed Starstruck Classic and Listed Jungle Dawn Classic and has also finished third in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic and fourth in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas.

“She got to the front nicely,” said Smith. “Last time we led early but was crossed and the speed was backed-off which did not suit her. So today I controlled the pace, then got them off the bit chasing and she was very strong.”

Trainer Lindsey Smith said Fontainebleau would now be prepared for the Listed 1800m Detonator Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, February 23.

“She’s going to make a great broodmare prospect,” said Smith. “She’s got a lot of Black Type about her.”

Fontainebleau is a half-sister to the nine-time winner Uncle George, successful from 1200m to 2400m. Her grand-dam, Summer Silence, won the Listed Lindsay Rosenthal Stakes and Listed All Stars Stakes; her third dam Surfside Lady won the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes and her fourth-dam, Bynsaab, won both the Champion Fillies Stakes and the Pinjarra Guineas and is also the dam of Listed Sunspeed Champion Stakes winner and sire Movie Maker.

Alfred Nobel is the sire of 87 winners. His progeny are racing in top form also winning recently in England, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Alfred Nobel’s hot siring form continued when Triple Event led throughout for a brave nose win in the SMB Electrical Handicap (1300m) at Pinjarra the following Thursday when starting at $81.

Triple Event, who has now won three times for trainer Jeff Pike, is from Rosendorff, by Viking Rule, and was bred by Quanah Park Thoroughbreds, long-time supporters of Lynward Park Stud.