One more European race on the cards for Cox Plate contender

Cox Plate contender Light Infantry secured another European Group 1 placing last Sunday, finishing third in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

“Obviously delighted with his run,” said current trainer David Simcock, adding that the horse was “arguably unlucky not to be second” due to a loss of momentum before the furlong marker.

Light Infantry is set to join the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace team in Australia and was featured in last week’s Cox Plate nominations.

However, Simcock revealed that one more race in Europe is still on the table. “The plan is slightly open,” he said.

“I will speak to Ciaron about possibly running at Goodwood in the Celebration Mile, but it depends on their plans in Australia and how fresh he is going into quarantine.”

The four-year-old is among the early entries for Goodwood’s 1600-metre race on August 26, alongside fellow Cox Plate nominees New Endeavour, Galeron, and Alfred Munnings.

“He’s come out of it well … he’s an exciting Australian project whichever way we look at it,” Simcock concluded.

Light Infantry, a $9.00 chance with Ladbrokes for the Cox Plate 2023, is due to enter quarantine in the second week of September.