Classic Tilt Considered For Wootton Bassett’s Dual Group Winner

The French 2,000 Guineas remains a possibility for Maranoa Charlie (3c Wootton Bassett – Koubalibre, by Galileo) after the talented colt made a winning three-year-old return in the Group 3 Prix Djebel at Deauville.

Christopher Head’s charge impressed on his first three career starts, won by a combined 19 and a half lengths, including an eight-length romp in a Group 3. He was sent off favourite for Tuesday’s Classic Trial and made all in the seven-furlong contest under Aurelien Lemaitre, who dropped his whip a furlong from home. The Wootton Bassett colt kept on gamely to win by a length and a quarter from Listed winner Silius, who was chasing a four-timer.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said: I loved his attitude at the end as he went again when the runner-up came to him and showed real fight. He already looked like a three-year-old last year but he has strengthened further over the winter.

On future plans, Head continued: “We'll have to discuss it with the owners but as well as the Poule [d'Essai des Poulains] there are several options. He could go sprinting or perhaps he might run in Britain. He seems to have plenty of gas and I think we'll look at races for him that place an accent on his speed. All options remain open at the moment.”

Owned by Peter Maher, Carl Fitzgerald and John Baxter, Maranoa Charlie was bred by Haras d’Etreham, Riviera Equine and Gestut zur Kuste.