Godolphin's G1 Middle Park S. winner Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), who lost his unbeaten record when fourth in last weekend's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest going 6 1/2 furlongs, will step up to seven furlongs next out in the G3 Prix du Pin at ParisLongchamp on Sept. 13, said trainer Andre Fabre. Earthlight had been under consideration for the mile Classics but missed out after suffering a setback early in the season. He made his return in the six-furlong Listed Prix Kistena four weeks prior to the Maurice de Gheest.
“What I found interesting was that he was in front of Golden Horde again–they ran almost identically to Newmarket,” said Fabre, referring to last season's Middle Park S., where Earthlight beat Golden Horde by a neck. “I think he probably could have done with another race before going into a Group 1–he could have been a bit fitter and then he might have finished a bit closer. But the form is there. What surprised me was how hot a favourite he was. On the ratings he had no margin for error.”
“I've always thought he would be better over a mile, so we'll see,” Fabre added. “He needs to prove that on a racecourse.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
