Dream Ahead failed to fire as Moonlight Cloud struck a blow for three-year-old fillies by taking the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
Trained by champion mare Goldikova’s mentor Freddie Head, she came with a rattling run along the centre of the course to win from James Fanshawe’s Golden Jubilee winner Society Rock.
The Roger Charlton-trained Genki was involved in a photo for third with Marchand D’Or, while Wootton Bassett ran his best race of the season in fifth.
July Cup hero Dream Ahead was unable to put in a sustained challenge.
Fellow British raider Markab, trained by Henry Candy, took the field along in the early stages, with Richard Hannon’s Libranno also prominent.
Wootton Bassett hit the front well over a furlong out but he had no answer to the finishing kick of Moonlight Cloud, ridden by Thierry Jarnet.
Society Rock was a highly creditable second and Genki ran the race of his life when just denied third place behind veteran Marchand D’Or.
David Simcock’s Dream Ahead was held up, but failed to quicken after initially not getting a run.
Head said: “I knew she was a very good filly and I thought she had a first-class chance.
“We had a perfect run, the jockey rode a brilliant race and she does exactly what she does in the morning.
“In the 1000 Guineas we had a bad run because the starter put her in the stalls too early and she missed the start.
“We may run her in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, but we’ll see.
“There is no plan yet.”
PA AAP TURF
