French sprinter Lazzat throws down major marker for Royal Ascot

Lazzat made a decent set of Listed rivals look wildly inferior when sweeping to success in the Prix Sevanne over six furlongs, confirming that his Royal Ascot target will be the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. 

Last season's Prix Maurice de Gheest star had been tried over seven and a half furlongs and a mile in his three most recent starts but it will back at a sprinting trip for the final day feature of the royal meeting where British racegoers get their first sight of Lazzat after he was cut to 9-1 (from 12) for the Jubilee by Coral.

Cristian Demuro coasted along in front before letting the favourite open up in the final two furlongs to run out the winner by five and a half lengths, while his closest pursuer, the Clive Cox-trained James's Delight, paid for his efforts and faded to fifth.

"When he won the Maurice de Gheest [over six-and-a-half furlongs] it was his best performance at three, and it was also the shortest trip he ran over," said a delighted Jerome Reynier. "After that we had a go at the Golden Eagle over 1,500 metres [seven-and-a-half furlongs] and although he was under pressure the whole way and it was probably a bit far, he was only beaten in the final stride.

"We know he's a very good 'flyer' but there are not many opportunities over seven furlongs, so we'll specialise at this trip where there is a real programme for him to follow. 

"He could go straight to Royal Ascot for the Jubilee and then we'd think about races like the July Cup, the Maurice de Gheest and the Haydock Sprint Cup. The only race over further I'd be tempted by now would be the Breeders' Cup Mile."

Racing Post 25/05/03