A three-year-old by Northern Hemisphere timing but eligible in Australia as a four-year-old, Light Infantry will now set course for Sydney with trainer David Simcock noting the $7.5 million Golden Eagle as the next stop after finishing second to Inspiral in the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois (1600m) at Deauville on Sunday.
“Very proud of the horse (today) and very pleased,” Simcock told At The Races at Deauville.
“He had a gallop to run at today which was very good and the mile .
“A mile was always going to suit him better and he ran his heart out (with) a personal best and we couldn’t be happier.”
Having also placed in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (1400m) in July, the trip to Australia will see well-named colt by Fast Company will meet those distances halfway in the 1500 metre feature at Rosehill on October 29.
Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Light Infantry started at $23 and outclassed more fancied rivals including Coroebus and State Of Rest.
Now in contention for the Golden Eagle, he is the new second favourite for the event at $11 with TAB.
“We’ll go straight to the Golden Eagle in Sydney now and that will be his last run of the year,” Simcock said.