CLOUD BURST
   So close to causing the shock of the year when a head second to Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot last time June 23, George Strawbridge's Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) returned to home soil to stamp her authority on yesterday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Sent off the 7-10 favorite to repeat her success of 12 months ago, the homebred was settled just off the generous pace set by The Cheka (Ire) (Xaar {GB}) and, after cruising past that rival approaching the quarter pole, drew away for an easy five-length success from Wizz Kid (Ire) (Whipper). "She is a true champion," commented trainer Freddy Head after recording a fifth renewal. "I am very fortunate to have such a filly and she has it all--speed and class."

Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX MAURICE DE GHEEST-G1, €250,000, Deauville, 8-5, 3yo/up, 6 1/2fT, 1:15.50, vsf.
1--MOONLIGHT CLOUD (GB), 125, f, 4, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
        1st Dam: Ventura (Ire) (SP-Ire), by Spectrum (Ire)
        2nd Dam: Wedding Bouquet (Ire), by Kings Lake
        3rd Dam: Doff the Derby, by Master Derby
   O/B-George Strawbridge; T-Freddy Head; J-Thierry Jarnet; €142,850. Lifetime Record: 12 starts, 7 wins, 4 places, €607,193. *1/2 to Cedar Mountain (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), SW & GSP-US, $137,284. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2--Wizz Kid (Ire), 125, f, 4, Whipper--Lidanski (Ire), by Soviet Star. O-Mme Maeve Mahony; B-Ballylinch Stud; T-Robert Collet; €57,150.
*3--The Cheka (Ire), 128, g, 6, Xaar (GB)--Veiled Beauty, by Royal Academy. (62,000gns wnlg '06 TATDEC; 58,000gns yrl '07 TATOCT). O-Anthony Pye-Jeary & Mel Smith; B-James Robert Mitchell; T-Eve Johnson Houghton; €28,575.
Margins: (5, 1 3/4, HD). Odds: 0.70, 11.00, 13.00.
Also Ran: American Devil (Fr), Restiadargent (Fr), Lockwood (GB), Kerasona (Fr), Marchand d'Or (Fr), Kendam (Fr). Scratched: Strong Suit.
*American Devil finished third, but was demoted to fourth. Click for the Racing Post chart or the free brisnet.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for Equidia video.
   Precocious unlike her then stable companion Goldikova (Fr) (Anabaa), Moonlight Cloud received notable plaudits from her trainer in comparison with that all-time great after her six-length conditions score over seven furlongs at Longchamp in September 2010. Granted "TDN Rising Star" status there, the bay was sent up against the colts in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over that course and distance on Arc day and was fourth as the favorite before being given a Classic preparation the following spring. Following her return success in the G3 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte again over seven in April, she was only seventh in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket the next month, which remains her sole try at a mile. By last summer, she was starting to really bloom, and followed a score in Longchamp's G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot in July with an authoritative four-length victory in this race en route to a tilt at the six-furlong G2 British Champions Sprint S. at Ascot. Denied a clear run when fifth in that contest, the admirably consistent performer nevertheless looked in need of farther, and was back at seven furlongs for the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp on her seasonal bow June 2. Despite the ease of her win there, she was mainly overlooked for the Diamond Jubilee, as all attention was understandably focused on Black Caviar. Whether the Australian wonder would have beaten Moonlight Cloud any easier had Luke Nolen not famously geared down prematurely at the Royal meeting may never be determined, but the performance of the runner-up confirmed her as an improved filly, and she was again doing her best work at the finish. Without anything of real note to test her mettle here, she was able to take a perfect tow from the industrious British challenger and "TDN Rising Star" The Cheka until cutting loose before the quarter pole. From there, she was able to provide the Normandy crowds with some dazzle amongst the general gloom of the weather which had seen one of her most formidable opponents in the fast-ground specialist Strong Suit (Rahy) withdrawn. "I was worried beforehand that she would not get cover, but in fact she is much more mature than last year and traveled easily there," Freddy Head commented. "From two out, you could see there was plenty left, and she quickened really well. I felt that she looked even better and stronger than at Royal Ascot, so that is a sign that she has reached full maturity. She is in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday, and at this stage I am not saying yes or no. I will see how she comes out of this and how she is over the next few days, but if she is giving me the right signs at home, I must say I am very tempted to run." Not uncommonly, the Deauville stewards were in action and promptly disqualified American Devil (Fr) (American Post {GB}) from third to fourth behind The Cheka, who he was judged to have interfered with.