Brigantin is to be aimed at the Prix Kergorlay before connections decide whether to go for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Team Valor, who own and bred the Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old, were thrilled with his third place in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot – especially as it came on rain-softened ground.
Although the Melbourne Cup is the ultimate objective, they may wait until 2012 for an attempt at the “race that stops a nation”.
A decision on whether Brigantin goes to Australia this year is likely after he has run in the Group Two contest at Deauville in August.
“We were very happy with that, as he doesn’t like soft turf,” Barry Irwin, Team Valor’s founder and chief executive, said.
“That was the first time he’s run like that with some give in the ground.
“We were hoping he would do something on firm ground, but for him to do that well on soft ground was very pleasing.
“We’re going to run him in the Prix Kergorlay on August 21 at Deauville.
“Our goal with the horse has been the Melbourne Cup, but it’s tough for a four-year-old to do it, so we’re going to run him in the Kergorlay, see how he does and then make a decision.
“The most likely scenario is we may run him back once more and then wait until next year and go for the Melbourne Cup.
“If he popped up and ran really well in the Kergorlay then I’ll talk to Andre Fabre and we’ll see what we think.
“He’s a neat horse and he’s also a home-bred which makes us feel good.”
PA AAP TURF
