Moonlight Cloud: stretches clear of her rivals at Deauville on Sunday
PICTURE: ScoopDyga.comMoonlight shines in Prix Maurice de Gheest romp
Report: France, Sunday
Deauville: Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) 6½f, 3yo+
MOONLIGHT CLOUD delivered a performance of the highest order when she followed up last year's success in scintillating style in the hands of a confident Thierry Jarnet at Deauville.
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The four-year-old, who finished second in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on her last start, cruised up to challenge and sprinted clear to score impressively for trainer Freddy Head.
The Cheka, who attempted to make all, officially crossed the line in fourth but he was promoted to third after American Devil was deemed to have caused interference inside the final furlong.
The Eve Johnson Houghton-trained runner finished behind Wizz Kid, who finished well to take second.
Moonlight Cloud was rightly sent off favourite, having finished just a head behind unbeaten Aussie superstar Black Caviar at Royal Ascot in June, and she moved menacingly from the moment she left the stalls.
She was anchored at the rear as The Cheka set a steady pace in front, with Diamond Jubilee Stakes third Restiadargent stalking him under Maxime Guyon.
Freddy Head: delighted with Moonlight Cloud's impressive win
PICTURE: Edward WhitakerMoonlight Cloud loomed up on the outside of the pack with two furlongs to run and the race was over in a matter of strides when she unleashed her devastating turn of foot up the home straight.
The 4-5 favourite powered clear to record an awesome wide-margin victory, much to the delight of her trainer.
Head said: "There'll never be another Goldikova but she is exceptional. She adores the track here at Deauville which is very flat.
"I think Ascot, which climbs at the finish, isn't so much to her advantage. She doesn't quite have the same burst of acceleration uphill.
"But today she's done an amazing thing here because she's won within herself."
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