Zanzibari’s Nonza Causes an Upset In the Jean Romanet

[Wandering Eyes]

   The G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet “dark horse” Nonza (Fr) (Zanzibari) must have been France’s best-kept secret prior to Sunday, but Henri-Francis Devin pulled the rabbit out of the hat as the 4-year-old overcame some established high-class performers to make a dramatic breakthrough. Untested in anything like this company but a proven winner time and again, the homebred bay had booked her ticket with a first black-type success in the 10 1/2-furlong Listed Prix de la Pepiniere at Maisons-Laffitte July 22 and raced towards the rear early with the pace honest up front. As they turned for home, there was unwanted drama as Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) went wrong and was eased by Ryan Moore but Nonza had almost three lengths to make up on the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner Urban Fox (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) who had cut loose. Eating into that deficit as the line neared, the 12-1 shot managed it in the final stride to prevail by a neck under Alexis Badel, with Navaro Girl (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) 1 3/4 lengths behind in third.

Sunday, Deauville, France
DARLEY PRIX JEAN ROMANET-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-19, 4yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:06.46, gd.
1–NONZA (FR), 126, f, 4, by Zanzibari
1st Dam: Terra Alta (Fr), by Kaldounevees (Fr)
2nd Dam: Toujours Juste (Fr), by Always Fair
3rd Dam: Soloist, by Alleged
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Mme Antonia Devin (FR); T-Henri-Francois Devin; J-Alexis Badel. €142,850. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-0, €211,870. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Urban Fox (GB), 126, f, 4, Foxwedge (Aus)–Lomapamar (GB), by Nashwan. (10,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT; 425,000gns 3yo ’17 TATMA). O-Barnane Stud Ltd; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-William Haggas. €57,150.
3–Navaro Girl (Ire), 126, f, 4, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Neele (Ire), by Peintre Celebre. O-Stall Nizza; B-Jurgen Imm (IRE); T-Peter Schiergen. €28,575.
Margins: NK, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 11.00, 1.90, 25.00.
Also Ran: Lady Frankel (GB), I’m So Fancy (Ire), Bateel (Ire), Golden Legend (Fr), Wilamina (Ire), Rhododendron (Ire). Scratched: Haggle (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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