John Gosden: enjoyed another successful raid on Deauville

 PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

More joy for Gosden as Johnny Barnes scores

Report: France, Sunday

Deauville: Prix Quincey Barriere (Group 3) 1m, 3yo+

A WEEK after John Gosden was rewarded with Prix Morny glory when deciding to run Shalaa despite the soft Deauville ground, the continued wet weather became his friend as Johnny Barnes swept from last to first to land the Group 3 Prix Quincey Barriere under Frankie Dettori.

“He goes on good ground but he is a really good horse on soft,” said Dettori. “We were praying for the rain and we got it. Weather depending but he could be interesting for something like the Daniel Wildenstein.”

Mark Kershaw of Highclere Thoroughbreds, who manage the winning syndicate for longtime client Simon Scupham and a group of Bermuda-based friends, believes a step up in class could also be beneficial if the ground is right for last year’s Criterium International runner-up.

“There is a very valuable race on Champions Day, the Balmoral Handicap, which we would be tempted to try and qualify for,” said Kershaw. “But he has won so well that we would have to think about aiming a bit higher and the Wildenstein could come into the equation if there is sufficient cut in the ground.”