18 August 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Marmelo (Duke of Marmalade) started as the logical favourite in the 15 furlongs Darley Prix Kergorlay (Gr2), Sunday at Deauville. The Hughie Morrison-trained 6-year-old won the race at 4 in 2017 and finished second last year behind Holdthasigreen, who was not here this year. Ridden as usual in France by Christophe Soumillon, Marmelo once again made the best of the speed he's kept over the usual stayers, waited behind the leaders and took off early in the straight, building up a gap that none of his staying rivals could make up. Only Call the Wind (Frankel), who was giving 4lbs, came back to finish second at 3/4 of a length.
Beaten by Way to Paris in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2) last time out, Marmelo will now fly to Australia, like last year when he finished second in the Melbourne Cup after running in Deauville, and the year before, when he had been less successful over there.
This is the plan again for this fall!
Marmelo joined the staying division early enough, in his first season at the age of 3 when he finished second in the Prix Michel Houyvet (L) at Deauville over the same trip than the Kergorlay. Bred by Edward and Christabel Goodwin, who are also his joint-owners, Marmelo is out of a maiden mare who also gave Vent de Force (Hurricane Run), second in the Prix Chaudenay (Gr2), and a 3-year-old Cacique colt who has just won for the first time, in a handicap over 1m6f.