Trainer Freddie Head has all but ruled out a second trip to the Breeders’ Cup for Moonlight Cloud following her scintillating display at Longchamp on Sunday.
The five-year-old clinched her third Group One of the year and sixth overall with an incredible performance in the Prix de la Foret.
Ridden with maximum confidence by Thierry Jarnet, who had earlier won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Treve trained by Head’s sister Criquette Head-Maarek, Moonlight Cloud made up rapid headway in the final furlong (200m) to swoop from last to first.
Her only truly disappointing run last season was in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita and Head is not keen on a return to California.
A trip to Hong Kong, however, looks increasingly likely.
“She is very well this morning,” Head said. “She is something special.
“I think it is doubtful she will go to Santa Anita but she probably will go to Hong Kong, that seems for sure.
“She ran badly at the Breeders’ Cup last year, it’s two turns. We’re not that keen on taking her there.
“It is one turn in Hong Kong, which is better for her.”
Whether her likely outing in Hong Kong will be her final competitive start remains unclear, with Head not ruling out the chances of her staying in training as a six-year-old in 2014.
