ENGLISH TEXTS by Donatien, Sourdeau de Beauregard and both owned / bred by his mother Francois De Beauregard and won this listed contest by an impressive four lengths. Fourth on debut at Bordeaux le Bouscat in the Prix de Bacalan his imposing figure meant he was not pushed hard early one and defiantly not disgraced on debut with the form working out very well. The Winner Lewis Grey won a class 2 contest at the same track before finishing second at Compiegne to Vol au Vent a 66 rated Goliath du Berlais gelding for Macaire and Laganeste. The second in the Bordeaux contest was a filly called Choeur du Grieve who was 2 nd again on her second start and has since been sold to Ed Partridge of Valentine Bloodstock for a hundred and sixty thousand euros. Its Now then won his second start at Compeigne in a class three conditions race beating Vol au Vent on his debut, by six lengths. It was a real improvement for its Now who went from being mid division on his first start to right up on the pace going in to the first hurdle and settling just behind the leaders. He wasn’ t flash throughout but having jumped the last upside the 2 nd, he quickened up smartly in the final 100 meters to veer away and put the race to bed. Donatien showed patience with this horse and instead of going for the group three a month later he decided to give the horse more time before taking the step up in to black type company. This victory delivered another impressive performance as Its Now won by four lengths to Shannon Maestro and as mentioned The Mighty Celt in third. The fourth placed horse Malin du Mathan cannot be discarded as the saint des saint colt trained by Arnaud Chaille- Chaille and Francois Pamart had finished third in a listed contest the race before and ended up with a rating of 66. The fifth horse Turenne won impressively on his third start at Compiegne the race before and Vol au vent was sixth. None however could match the explosiveness of Its now on his first start at Auteuil and we cannot overlook the fact that he was not fancied to go and win this race with a price of 10-1 on the PMU. The favorite filled the runner up spot and its obvious to see why he was that price. The Doctor Dino colt trained by the Macaire and Laganeste duo, owned by Ecurie Sofiane Benaroussi won at Auteuil on his second start in the Prix Gemix by six lengths and left quite an impression. With the group three coming to quickly after his victory at the beginning of May the Prix Stanley was the obvious option. It’ s no understatement to say that as the field went down the back straight in the Prix Stanley that you wouldn’ t pick Its now as the winner. Shannon Maestro was the one to take out of the field as he was in a good position, traveling well and jumping flawlessly. Its Now was on and off the bridle and was last taking the final bend. His strongest asset though is how well he sees out his races and that was show cased once again by jumping the last upside the second and third but quickened away in the final 100 meters to win like a horse who should be feared come the Autumn. Something of note that happened afterwards as well was a article which stated that the owner had no intention to sell the son of its Gino and wanted to keep hold of her star for her son to target the big races that he is now entitled to take part in. I think it’ s good for French racing to keep hold of an exciting youngster like him who with his size and scope could potentially be better as he gets older. He might be a horse that we continue to speak about for many years to come. One thing that excites me looking ahead is, yes, we should expect the group one Prix Cambaceres to be won by a three-year-old that has already debuted in the spring and shown his talent. Right now, however a trained could have an unraced future star in their ranks just waiting for their opportunity to step foot on a racecourse and show how good they are. It’ s a tall order and would take a potential super star to do so but I always think expect the unexpected in this game. Whether it be Its Now, Leopard du Berlais or matin midi et Soir or something currently unraced the winner of the Prix
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