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The André-Fabre trained Life In Motion overturned evens-favourite Skaletti to secure a victory in the 1m1f Prix Jacques Laffitte (L) at Longchamp on Thursday.
The André-Fabre trained Life In Motion overturned evens-favourite Skaletti to secure a victory in the 1m1f Prix Jacques Laffitte (L) at Longchamp on Thursday.
It was a race entirely won on merit by the Godolphin-owned Life In Motion, who was confidently ridden by jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev. He settled the filly behind the leaders in the early stages and asked her to take control of the race at 2f out. She battled for the lead and rallied well to score by a head at the line. Christophe Ferland's Yoozuna finished second with Fabre's Hidden Dimples third.
The victory marked Life In Motion's third Listed success, having won the 1m1f Prix le Fabuleux at Chantilly and the 1m Prix Coronation at Saint Cloud in September and October. Plans for the filly are unconfirmed, "We are delighted with her performance," Godolphin's representative Louise Benard told French publication Jour de Galop. "She is a filly that we have always loved at the stable. She was already a Listed winner and Group placed."
"Mr. Fabre will decide on the rest of his program. We kept her in training because we think Life in Motion is able to get good results this year. There is an interesting program for older females, provided they are over a little longer."
Elsewhere on the card, Classic credentials were on show. It was a rematch between Halfway Line and Valimi in the 1m Prix Machido, who had finished first and second in the Prix Comrade over the same distance at Saint-Cloud three weeks earlier. Jean-Claude Rouget's Valimi took a step forward to reverse the form and looks likely to take his place in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) over course and distance.
In the fillies' equivalent, the Prix du Louvre, Quickstep made amends for her disappointing fourth on seasonal reappearance at Deauville in the Prix Imprudence (G3). The filly had been involved in a rough passage through Prix Imprudence (G3) and jockey Mickael Barzalona was still serving a suspension for his riding in that contest. Alexis Pouchin stepped in as a very able substitute and Quickstep made all to score by a neck from Kelina. She will be targeted at the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1) on the 14th of May.