Moussac Longines: English raider Azano toughs it out

It was the english runner Azano (Oasis Dream) that made most of the early running in the Prix Paul de Moussac Longines. John Gosden’s colt was sent for home at the top of the home straight and held off strong challenges from both Pizzicato ((Dabirsim) and Admiral Rous (Henrythenavigator) who ran on well to take third place close home. Azano came here off the back of being well beaten in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, a Group 1 for the best 3 year-olds in Great-Britain.

The race

Quotes

Robert Havlin (rider of Azano, 1st)

“The colt didn’t handle the track too well at Newmarket. He was more at ease here today. He is a horse that is quite fast naturally but has not got a big turn of foot, it’s for that reason that I sent him for home early. He is progressing and getting braver with every run. He could return to France to run in the Prix Jean Prat.”

Thady Gosden (assistant trainer to John Gosden, trainer of Azano, 1st )

“They set off quite fast but his jockey has taken a good decision not to follow the immediate pace, keeping the horse where he was happy in his rhythm. Once things opened up the horse accelerated very well. It was his owners who decided to come and run here today, and the Prix Jean Prat could well be a possibility, we will have to have a talk about that. We weren’t really expecting to win here today, but he is a colt who will not stop progressing.” 

Fabrice Chappet (Trainer of Pizzicato, 2^nd)

“The horse ran great, he has just bumped into a very good one. He has proved to us that he is capable of doing well over 1,200 to 1,400. I know he hasn’t run since Lingfield but he has had the work. We will have a think about what to do next as we have plenty of time.”

Eoghan O’Neill (Trainer of Admiral Rous, 3rd)

“I’m very happy, he has run a super race. Before the race, I would definitely have signed for third place. He has finished really well having come from the back. His jockey has told me that the ground found him out a little bit; he is a horse that prefers if it is a little softer. He has come on well and now we will head towards the Prix Jean Prat, he should be better over 1,400m because he has a lot of speed.”