Andre Fabre: trained the winner for his wife Elisabeth

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)  

Brigantin strikes late to take Lutece for Fabre

Report: France, Sunday

Longchamp: Prix de Lutece (Group 3) 1m7f, 3yo

TRAINER Andre Fabre saddled Brigantin (Pierre-Charles Boudot) to win the Group 3 Prix de Lutece for his wife, Elisabeth, who was also one of the breeders of the son of Cozzene.

The three-year-old had been disqualified after passing the post first in a Listed race at Vichy on his last start, after it was discovered he carried the wrong weight.

Boudot rode a patient race on the Swiss Derby winner, bringing him with a late challenge which took the colt past Shamanova at the furlong marker. The pair went on to win by three-quarters of a length with Permit four lengths away in third.

Brigantin looks almost certain to turn out for the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay back at Longchamp on October 2. The winning jockey said: "The colt has good acceleration and is a lovely horse to ride. He always gives his best."

The Aga Khan's Shamanova has been second in her last three races now, but she was meeting colts for the first time this afternoon. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "She is still a little tender for this level of competition and she will now take her chance in the Chaudenay." 

Also on Sunday

Prix du Pin, Group 3, 7f, 3yo+

SAHPRESA (Rodolphe Collet/Christophe Soumillon) impressed enormously when taking this trial for the Prix de la Foret.  Soumillon had his second armchair Group winner of the day as he didn't have to exert himself much as Sahpresa swept past long-time leader Dalghar (Alain de Royer-Dupre/Christophe Lemaire) at the furlong marker. 

Sahpresa went on to win effortlessly by a length and a half from Dalghar. Then came Evaporation (Carlos Laffon-Parias/Olivier Peslier) and Colonial (Andre Fabre/Maxime Guyon).

The winner had not been seen out since running down the field in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot and Collet has done a fantastic job to bring her back the mare back to her best. 

He said. "We had some worries in the stable around Ascot time and Sahpresa went down with a lung infection.  Now she's come back and we have many different races to choose from.  We could go for the Foret or try and win the Sun Chariot for a second time.  There is also the Prix Daniel Wildenstein to be taken into consideration.  A lot will depend on the ground as she must have good going to show her best."

Soumillon said. "She was going easily allthe time and I just had to focus on catching Dalghar.  I gave her just one slap and that was all she needed to win with plenty in hand."

The Aga Khan's Dalghar put up a good performance as he was giving seven pounds in weight to the winner.  It is now likely that Dalghar will go on to the Foret, which Royer-Dupre took last year with Varenar.