Fijar Tango successful

Press, 13 September 1988, Page 36

Fijar Tango successful

NZPA-Reuter Paris Kahyasi, the English and Irish Derby winner, was beaten for the first time in his career when he finished second (beaten a neck) to Fijar Tango in the Group Two Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday. But the colt, which has not raced since late June, lost little of his reputation in defeat and was shortened in betting from 5-1 to 4-1 second favourite for his chief target — the Prix de I’Arc de Triomphe on the same track in three weeks time.

Fijar Tango, ridden by Tony Cruz, was quoted at 12-1 for the highlight of the European racing, season, which is also run over 12 furlongs (2400 metres), the same as Sunday’s race.

Although Kahyasi, ridden by Ray Cochrane, had a pacemaker in the field, the ploy failed to bring success.

Fijar Tango which is trained in France, won narrowly from his English rival, with Sarhoob, ridden by Cash Asmussen, a head behind Kahyasi and half a length clear of Insan, the horse Kahyasi short-headed in the Irish Derby. Cruz completed a valuable double when winning the Group One Prix Vermeille, for fillies, also over 2400 m, on Indian Rose, which earned a 10-1 quote for the Arc de Triumphe, although she is not a certain runner. The Prix Niel was run at a modest pace, almost six seconds slower than the Prix Vermeille.