BC Internationals: Turf contender Talismanic

October 29th, 2017

Sure to woo the cameras with his photogenic white face and flashy stockings, Talismanic brings more than good looks into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1). Trained by the maestro Andre Fabre for Godolphin, the homebred advertises some notable formlines in his premiere on the international stage.

By Medaglia d’Oro and out of the Machiavellian mare Magic Mission, who won the 2003 Royal Heroine (G3) at Hollywood Park, Talismanic has the pedigree to handle firm turf. But connections previously thought he wanted a bit of ease in the ground. Perhaps that was just the fact that he plowed through heavy ground so well in the past. At this point, he’s three-for-four on a “good” course, his only loss in those conditions coming in an epically fast running of the 2016 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).

Talismanic went to Compiegne to break his maiden third time out as a juvenile, hinting of his stamina requirements by romping at about nine furlongs. On the classic trail, he was favored in his stakes debut in the 2016 Prix Maurice Caillault, and rallied for second after being held up far off the pace at Saint-Cloud. Stretching out from about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles for the Prix de l’Avre at the same track, Talismanic took up a closer stalking position and powered clear in the stretch. The jockeys had a difference of opinion about exactly where the better ground was as the five-horse field completely fanned across the track. Talismanic stuck to the far side before ultimately tacking toward the stands, or else his winning margin might have been bigger.

Facing the first serious test of his fledgling career in the French Derby (G1), Talismanic was stacked out wide chasing the pace, but stayed on well enough to put his head in front in midstretch. He couldn’t live with the closing kick of Almanzor and Zarak, however, and checked in fourth. For a horse who’d already shaped as a 12-furlong type, he turned in a useful effort over 10 1/2.

Talismanic returned to the longer trip for the Grand Prix de Paris (G1), but could do no better than fifth. If the victorious Mont Ormel (now Helene Charisma in Hong Kong) and runner-up Red Verdon haven’t lived up to the race’s status, at least his Godolphin confrere Cloth of Stars (third) has turned out well (see below).

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