FAHEY’S GREAT POWER SURGE
Yorkshire raider bags French prize
PERFECT POWER charged to victory as he stepped up to Group 1 level for the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.
Richard Fahey’s winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot had suffered trouble in running when fifth to Asymmetric in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last month.
But the son of Ardad, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, turned round that form in style with a length-and-a-quarter victiry over the André Fabretrained Trident, who had half a length over Asymmetric in third.
“I was panicking there, but maybe Christophe wasn’t – he’s a better jockey than I ever was,” said Yorkshire trainer Fahey.
“It got tight for two strides or so but he came through, which was great.
“It’s been a frustrating enough year but this is just what the doctor ordered.
“It’s why we do it, and why we’re in the game.”
Fahey (below), who will prepare Perfect Power for the top-level Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 25, added: “We’ll stick to six furlongs at the moment as we’ve no need to change.
“But I’d say he has every chance of staying a mile next year, and the dam’s side of the pedigree says he could.”
On the same card, the James Fanshawe-saddled Audarya lost out by a short head to Italian challenger Grand Glory as she sought success in the Group 1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet for the second year in succession.
Thundering Nights took third for Joseph O’brien but Lady Bowthorpe, a popular winner of Glorious Goodwood’s Nassau Stakes, beat just one rival home in seventh.
“Watching it live, I thought we had won but we didn’t,” said Fanshawe.
“That’s was obviously disappointing, but that’s the game.
“This should hopefully set her up for a nice autumn campaign. I hope there’s another Group 1 in her if we keep her right.”