OTI Racing’s leading contender for this year’s $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) will have his staying credentials further examined in France on Tuesday.
San Huberto concedes 1.5kg to his three rivals in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (2800m) at Longchamp.
The Northern Hemisphere four-year-old receives the weight penalty for Tuesday’s race following his last start second up victory in the Group 2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3000m) at Chantilly on June 14, his fourth win from nine starts.
Tuesday’s race appeared quite strong prior to Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby scratching Moonlight Spirit and Secret Advisor both from the field on Monday. San Huberto is second favourite for the Prix Maurice de Nieuil, trailing favourite Called To The Bar.
Called To The Bar finished fourth behind San Huberto when resuming in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and at his previous visit to Longchamp last September won the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur (3100m) by two lengths with OTI Racing’s Haky as runner-up.
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October’s Group 1 Qatar Prix du Cadran (4100m) winner Holdthasigreen is next in betting with two-time Caulfield Cup competitor Red Verdon the outsider of the field after his last start victory in the Listed Betway Grand Cup Stakes (2922m) at Doncaster on June 14.
OTI Racing’s managing director Terry Henderson said he expected trainer Fabrice Chappet to use the Prix Maurice de Nieuil as the final lead-up start for San Huberto before the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on August 23 and a trip to Melbourne for the Spring Carnival.
Voila Ici (2009), Tac De Boistron (2012), Verema (2013), Marmelo (2018) are all recent winners of the Prix Maurice de Nieuil to then compete in the Melbourne Cup.
A €70,000 (A$114,000) yearling purchase by Hubert Guy, San Huberto is out of the Group 3-winning Rail Link mare Sediciosa, a half-sister to the dam of dual Group-winning two-year-old Dubious who now stands at stud for Aquis Farm at a service fee of $13,200 (inc GST).
Credit : Carl Di Iorio – Racing.com
