Triumphant Treve could take rest

The Longchamp showpiece had appeared to be one of the most competitive renewals for a number of seasons, with all but a handful of the 17 runners having some kind of claim judged on the formbook.

However, Treve confirmed herself as the new darling of international racing as she produced an electrifying burst of a acceleration, which trainer Criquette Head-Maarek described as a “seventh gear”, to win by an easy five lengths.

Last year’s runner-up, the Japanese raider Orfevre, had to settle for second once again while Intello claimed third.

Thierry Jarnet was in the saddle on Treve, but Head-Maarek was keen to thank Frankie Dettori, who would have ridden the filly but for suffering a season-ending injury in a fall at Nottingham on Wednesday.

“I want to say thank you to Frankie Dettori as he rode an amazing race on her in the Prix Vermeille. I said to save her (for yesterday) and he did,” she commented.

“A big kiss and thank you to Frankie. I am sorry he is not here.

“The way she won was incredible. She was wide the whole way and was travelling so easily the jockey just said he just let her go. I’m surprised how well she won, as we’ve never pushed her.

“I thought she had six gears, but she put the seventh one on.

“I’d like to ask the Sheikh (Joaan Al Thani, owner) if I can give her a rest. If there’s one race for her it would be Hong Kong.

“I am going to speak with the Sheikh with the objective of keeping her in training next season and preparing her to win the Arc again.”

Jarnet again rode a superb waiting race as Moonlight Cloud came from last to first to land the Prix de la Foret.

Trained by Freddie Head, brother of the Arc-winning trainer, Moonlight Cloud produced jaw-dropping acceleration as she easily caught and overtook the front-running Gordon Lord Byron, who was trying to defend his Foret title.

The Haydock Sprint Cup winner had no answer to Moonlight Cloud’s change of gear and she ran out an easy three-length winner with Gordon Lord Byron fending off Garswood by a head for the runner-up prize.

Maarek flew the flag for Ireland as he swooped late to snatch the glory in the Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye in the hands of Declan McDonogh. Winning trainer Barry Lalor said: “We knew the horse was in good form and he likes the ground soft, but it’s always risky with a hold-up horse as you never know what’s going to happen.

“It’s every trainer and owner’s dream with a sprinter to end up in this race and I’d like to particularly thank my assistant Evanna McCutcheon for getting the horse here in such good shape.

“We’d like to go for the Ascot for the British Champions Sprint he won last year now.”

Dean Ivory pointed towards next year’s Diamond Jubilee Stakes for Tropics after he claimed the first Group race of his career in the John Guest Bengough Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The Roger Varian-trained Steps gained deserved compensation in a tight finish to the Macquarie Group Rous Stakes under Jamie Spencer.

Spencer’s winning groove continued when the aptly-named Hot Streak (9-2) routed his 11 rivals in the Group Three BMW Cornwallis Stakes.

Spencer completed his treble and provided Varian with a double when Tantshi (8-1) ran out a ready winner of the EBF Stallions October Stakes.

Tim Easterby landed back-to-back renewals of the Totepool Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, and the fourth time in all, when Ventura Mist was rewarded for a string of consistent displays.

Third in a Group Three at Ayr last time out, the filly was able to compete in this off a low weight thanks to her relatively cheap purchase price of £21,000 and was never far from the firing line under David Allan.

Godolphin’s Emirates Flyer, second to 2000 Guineas favourite Kingman last time out, made a bid for home with two furlongs to go but Ventura Mist (10-1) picked up well close to home and clung on by a neck with Morning Post, winner of a similar race at Doncaster at 100-1, staying on for third.

Easterby was successful 12 months ago with Body And Soul, Somnus won in 2002 and the speedy Pipalong took the prize in 1998.

He said: “She’s a really super filly, she’s really tough and genuine, and always runs to the line.

“You get horses that are proper tough racehorses in these races and she’s one of them.

“David (Allan) rang up the other day and asked to ride her if he could. The filly has been Group- and Listed-place and now she’s won a Listed race, she’s tough as teak and could run again somewhere.”