Global Weekly Review - 17.08.15

Godolphin-owned Territories consolidated his position in the top echelon of European milers with a gallant second in Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in ground considered far from ideal for him.

The winner, Esoterique, is one of the best-performed and most valuable fillies currently racing in France, and she was recording this gutsy win only seven days after finishing second to top sprinter Muhaarar in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Wild Chief took third, just ahead of Lightning Spear. Other Godolphin runners, Toormore (fifth) and Belardo (seventh), both failed to accelerate out of the Deauville mud in the closing stages and were well-held at the finish.

Trainer Andre Fabre had been concerned beforehand that the ground would be too soft for Territories but in the event took the decision to let the 2000 Guineas runner-up take his chance.

There were no regrets in the Godolphin team. John Ferguson, bloodstock adviser to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, said: "Territories has run extremely well and has been beaten by a very good filly.

"You've got to be pleased with the way he has run, and maybe on better ground he might be more effective. We know he's a horse with a real turn-of-foot, and on quicker ground the more effective the turn-of-foot.

"Overall, you have to say he is a very exciting horse," Ferguson added.

Fabre also trained the winner, who could now target Longchamp's Prix du Moulin and Newmarket's Sun Chariot Stakes. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Ascot's Champions Day and the Breeders' Cup Mile are long-term objectives for Edouard de Rothschild's filly.

Over the weekend, Chicago provided the most international flavour, as well as an element of controversy.

The 35th year of the Arlington Million saw a popular winner in locally-trained The Pizza Man, who came with a strong finish to land the feature. Godolphin's Maverick Wave trailed in last, with jockey William Buick commenting: "For whatever reason, he has just not run his race."

On the same card, the Ballydoyle-trained Highland Reel was a convincing winner of the Secretariat Stakes, and there is a suggestion that this improving three-year-old could follow former stablemate Adelaide in tackling the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne in October.

But the controversy came in the Beverly D when the Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture was first past the post but had interfered with eventual third Stephanie's Kitten. As the stewards deemed that Stephanie's Kitten should be placed ahead of Secret Gesture, the race was awarded to second home, Watsdachances.

Much debate has followed, and Secret Gesture's connections are likely to appeal. But, irrespective of British interpretation, Chicago rules appear to have been carried out to the letter by local stewards.

Calls for international harmonisation rules on interference are now louder than ever.