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Earthlight is brilliant in French G3

Racenews

The unbeaten two-year-old colt Earthlight ran away with the six-furlong G3 Darley Prix de Cabourg at Deauville, France, on Sunday, 28 July, proving the easy and impressive winner from the other Godolphin runner, Well Of Wisdom.

The son of Shamardal, trained by Andre Fabre and partnered by Mickael Barzalona, broke well before being settled as fourth of the five runners.

Well Of Wisdom (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle, chased the leader Mowaeva and hit the front with a furlong remaining before Earthlight cruised alongside and soon took up the running.

Earthlight quickly went clear and was eased down to triumph by four lengths from Well Of Wisdom, who kept on, in 1m 10.30s on good to soft turf.

He made a winning debut over an extended five furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte on Wednesday, 19 June and followed up well in a six-furlong Deauville conditions race on Tuesday, 2 July, scoring by three and a half lengths.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “I was very impressed by that performance.

“This was Earthlight’s third start and he hasn’t stopped improving – he has become sharper with each race.

“He has got a great temperament and is taking it all in his stride – it is exciting to win a race like this and there might be a bright future for him.

“I was very impressed by his physique today because he has obviously taken his previous two races really well.

“To see him come out today and do that is great. Hopefully, it will put him spot on for his next race. Andre will discuss plans with Sheikh Mohammed, but if all goes well there is the possibility that he could line up for the G1 Darley Prix Morny (6f, Deauville, August 18).

“His three-year-old career is a long way away and we will try and make the most we can this year with him.

“Earthlight has done nothing wrong so far – he wasn’t necessarily the one we thought would be the earliest at the start of the year, but what he has shown so far is very promising.

“He has passed this G3 test and now we will have to see how he gets on when we step him up in class.”

Mickael Barzalona was delighted with Earthlight’s performance, but had hoped for a better pace in the race.

He said: “When I had to go because no-one could take me closer to the line, I just let him stride on and he did it very easily.”

Charlie Appleby added: “Well Of Wisdom ran a solid race, though the winner was very impressive.

“He has plenty of options for the future as he seems quite versatile as regards trip.”