Godolphin and Prince A A Faisal's Belardo (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is likely to bypass the G1 Sussex S. at Glorious Goodwood next week in favour of the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville Aug. 14. That mile contest could kick off a three-race end-of-season campaign for the 4-year-old that could culminate in the G1 Prix de Moulin de Longchamp Sept. 11 and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot in October, according to trainer Roger Varian.
“Belardo is likely to wait for the Jacques le Marois,” Varian confirmed. “We are very keen to go back to Ascot with him in October as a fresh horse for the QEII.”
Belardo, who has enjoyed some of his best days over soft ground but won the Sussex on good going, was second to the American mare Tepin (Bernstein) in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne S. June 14.
“He has had three races leading up to the Queen Anne and he may now have another three with the Jacques le Marois and possibly the Prix du Moulin, then the QEII,” Varian said. “He has shown good form over a straight mile and Goodwood is very different, and I am not sure that he loved the track when he ran there last year. We will stick to similar track conditions that have seen him at his best this year.”
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