Impressive Prix Djebel winner Fast Raaj has been confirmed for the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.
Yann Barberot’s Ifraaj colt missed an intended start in the French 2000 Guineas but looks well-suited to the seven-furlong test at Royal Ascot.
1-2 for Iffraaj! Fast Raaj denies @godolphin’s Pimento to take the Group 3 Djebel Stakes at Deauville under @GregoryBenoist1… pic.twitter.com/XLWyUH6aOS
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 8, 2021
Fast Raaj had made a reasonable return to action as a three-year-old, taking fourth in the Listed Prix Montenica, but this was a career best by some way.
US-based owner Martin Schwartz has taken a 30% stake in the colt and he will be packing his top hat for Ascot next week.
Barberot told Jour de Galop:
Unfortunately Gregory Benoist is unable to make the trip so we have booked Andrea Atzeni. The colt is very well at home. Our plan is Ascot next week, to leave him over a straight seven furlongs. He showed amazing gears in the Prix Djebel and although Ascot is not an objective in itself, we are not just going there for the day out – in fact I will be watching it at home! The objective for Fast Raaj is still the Group One Prix Jean Prat on 11 July back at Deauville.
There is currently no antepost betting on the Jersey Stakes, but expect Fast Raaj to be priced around 16/1. He will face off against the likes of The Lir Jet, Mehmento, Creative Force and Naval Crown next Saturday.
