Earthlight lands big pot for France in dramatic Middle Park Stakes
FRENCH voices were singing Allez Les Bleus at Newmarket as Godolphin’s Earthlight (11-4f) flew late to win the Middle Park.
Andre Fabre’s colt crept into the race at the 2f pole and had enough in the tank to see off Golden Horde (16-1) under Mickael Barzalona.
But in a race that had been dubbed as a battle of ‘big three’, only one turned up.
Siskin, unbeaten in Ireland, reared in the stalls and had to be scratched just before the off, while Mums Tipple, so impressive at York last time when allowed to dominate, faded rapidly as the race reached its zenith.
In the end it was left to Earthlight and Golden Horde to fight out the finish, with the favourite’s superior turn of foot proving the difference.
Richard Fahey’s Summer Sands (100-1) finished well for third as Monarch Of Egypt, Lope Y Fernandez and Threat all had their bubbles well and truly burst.
Winning trainer Andre Fabre said: “Just a matter of having the right horse. You need speed and experience and he has both.
“I got more confident through the season about him handling Newmarket as he started to grow and get a little more balanced.
“I never had any doubts about his mentality. He’s a genuine horse.
“He is the right type for the 2,000 Guineas. Whether he’s good enough, we will find out. He could even get 1m2f, but he won’t run again this season.”
Mickael Barzalona said: “He was fine on the ground though would prefer good.
“He does everything we ask him to do. The plan this year was to stay over 6f. Hopefully next year he will grow up over the winter.”
The winner was given a quote of 8-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas. Siskin, who reared up in the stalls, was unharmed.