Front-running veteran turf specialist Top Hat, two-time winner of the Grande Premio ABCPCC Matias Machline - Copa ABCPCC Classica (Brz-G1), Brazil’s version of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), delivered another impressive performance on Sunday at Hipodromo La Gavea in Rio de Janeiro.

Using his normal pacesetting style, the six-year-old Royal Academy horse dictated the tempo en route to a four-length triumph in the $373,454 Grande Premio Brasil (Brz-G1).

Top Hat finished well clear of runner-up Quatro Mares, winner of the 2007 Grande Premio ABCPCC Matias Machline.

Stakes winner Biologo, third in the Grande Premio Sao Paulo (Brz-G1) on May 18 and runner-up in the 2007 Grande Premio Derby Paulista (Brz-G1) (Brazilian Derby), finished third. Four-time Group 1 winner Quick Road finished a troubled fourth as the favorite under Jorge Ricardo.

Making his first start since winning his second Grande Premio ABCPCC Matias Machline on June 28, Top Hat completed 2,400 meters in 2:25.67 on turf rated as soft to register his seventh stakes victory and improve to 11 wins in 23 career starts for trainer Joao Macedo and owner Stud JCM.

Bred in Brazil by Haras Sao Jose da Serra, Top Hat is out of the Effervescing mare Tavira and is a half brother to Brazilian champion older mare Tale E Quale.

One race earlier, Snack Bar responded to Ivaldo Santana’s right-hand urging to post a 3 1/2-length victory over favorite Uigur in the Grande Premio Presidente da Republica (Brz-G1).

Utilizing a ground-saving trip, the three-year-old Signal Tap colt completed 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:34.11 to register his first Group 1 victory and second stakes win. Snack Bar earned his fourth victory in five career starts.

Trained by Luiz Roberto Feltran for owner Stud Nineves de Aquila, Snack Bar’s victory in the Presidente da Republica capped a Group 1 triple for breeder Haras Santa Maria de Araras during the two-day international meeting. Snack Bar is out the winning Jules mare Magma Rock.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)