High Chaparral has yet another classic winner waiting in the wings after his Irish bred filly Joanna scored an impressive victory in the G3 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Thursday.

Joanna (3f High Chaparral – Secrete Marina by Mujadil) prevailed by a half-length over Evading Tempete and last year’s G1 Cheveley Park Stakes winner Special Duty.

Joanna landed the 2009 Prix du Calvados for her former trainer Bruno Grizzetti before she was purchased by Sheikh Hamdan.  She went on to finish third to Rosanara in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac in the Shadwell Estates silks before going for a winter spell.

“We will now go to Longchamp for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas),” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said.  “I am delighted to have won my first race for Sheikh Hamdan.”

The Prix Imprudence has been a reliable guide to the classics in recent years.  Natagora won the race before going on to take the English 1000 Guineas while last year’s winner Elusive Wave was trained Rouget to complete a double in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.  

Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon told connections; “If you are patient with Joanna she should definitely stay a mile in top-class company.”

Joanna was bred by Giovanni Faldutto in Ireland and is out of Secrete Marina, a Listed-placed daughter of Mujadil from the famous Wildenstein family of Aquarelliste and Arcangues.

High Chaparral has another classic candidate in the colts’ division this year with the Tommy Stack trained galloper Noll Wallop.  

Noll Wallop (3c High Chaparral – Annie Girl by Danehill) stormed home to win the G3 Irish 2000 Guineas Trial by more than three lengths last month.  His dam was a Listed winner of the Premio Bimbi in Milan.

Coolmore has re-routed High Chaparral from Windsor Park in NZ to its Hunter Valley base for the 2010 southern season.  His Kiwi bred G1 winners Monaco Consul and Shoot Out are two of the favourite for the G1 AJC Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday.