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| Staff Writer |
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4YO set for crucial workout ahead of potential international venture
Lazzat, trained by Jerome Reynier, faces a pivotal midweek workout at Cagnes-sur-Mer which could determine whether he joins stablemate Facteur Cheval on a trip to Saudi Arabia next month.
The Nurlan Bizakov-owned colt enjoyed a magnificent 2023 campaign, stringing together six consecutive victories including a breakthrough Gr.1 success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
His impressive sequence began with a hat-trick at Cagnes-sur-Mer, crowned by victory in the Prix de la Californie, before stepping up to take the Gr.3 Prix Djebel. Further success followed in the Prix Paul de Moussac at Longchamp en route to his top-level triumph.
The globetrotting continued with an excellent second to Lake Forest, trained by William Haggas, in Australia's Golden Eagle, beaten just half a length. His most recent outing saw him finish ninth in December's Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin, trying an extended trip.
"It's a little too early to say for sure about his future because he's going to work in Cagnes-sur-Mer," said Reynier.
"Depending on the way he feels and how he works, we will probably be making a decision whether to go to Saudi for the 1351, where he's entered, or go to a European campaign.
"These are easier tasks to give him plenty of confidence to start his 4YO campaign.
"I'm sure he will work well as usual and then it will depend on what his owner wants to do with him – we'll have a chat with the team on Wednesday morning after his work and we'll be making a decision."