Three-year-old colt MUNTJAC (Kittens Joy x Time Being) put up an extremely impressive performance when carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al-Thani to success in the Prix De Menton (Maiden) at Cagnes-Sur-Mer on Tuesday, January 18th.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Muntjac was stepping up to 2,000m for the first time, following two placed efforts at the back end of 2021. The clear pick on form, Muntjac made light work of his five rivals and cantered to an easy success under a motionless Cristian Demuro.
Quickly away from the stalls, Muntjac led the field through the opening 300m. Once in the back straight, the keen going Joli Sun (Kingsalsa) pulled his way to the front and took over from Muntjac. Despite being a touch headstrong, Muntjac always looked to be going better than the field and once in the home straight, took over from Joli Sun. Still on the bridle 300m out, Muntjac stretched clear of the field and cantered to an extremely easy four-length success over Kingdom (The Grey Gatsby) in second. Moonflight (Rajsaman) finished a further two lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said after the race
“I really like how this colt gallops. He quite enjoys this surface, the fibresand. Muntjac was a bit backward and light last year. Before the race, I had him pencilled in for the Prix Policeman (Class 1). His performance was very pleasing and that is where he will go next. He won in a canter today, which is great for his morale. He’s a lovely mover, well bred and has a great character – that’s plenty of positives!”
Bred by Al Shahania Stud, Muntjac is by Hill ‘N Dale Farms (Kentucky, USA) based stallion Kitten’s Joy (El Prado). His dam Time Being (Zamindar) was unraced but is a sister to Gr. 1 Falmouth Stakes winner Timepiece (Zamindar), Passage Of Time (Dansili) Gr.1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner and dam of dual Gr.2 winner/stallion Time Test (Dubawi), Gr.2 winner Father Time (Dansili), and Listed winner Continuum (Dansili).
Source: Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club