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The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Artorius (Flying Artie) ended his time in Europe with a sixth-placed finish in yesterday's Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr.1, 1300m) at Deauville for owners Newgate Farm and China Horse Club, in a stop-start race that saw the 4YO overrace in the early stages.
Having left the Freedmans’ Mornington base back in June, the son of Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) ran a huge race to force a dead-heat for third place in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes (Gr.1, 6f) at Royal Ascot before following that result with another third-placed effort in the July Cup (Gr.1, 6f) at Newmarket on July 9.
Upped to the unique 1300-metre trip for yesterday's French feature, Artorius jumped out on terms under Jamie Spencer, who has ridden him in all three European starts, but pulled fiercely throughout the first couple of furlongs at the tail-end of a moderate early gallop.
Settling into more of a rhythm approaching the final 800 metres of the contest, the entire found himself behind a wall of horses entering the closing stages.
Upon asking for an effort, Spencer was forced to manoeuvre his mount on more than one occasion, having the door shut numerous times in a tightly-packed 14-strong bunch, with the pair gradually making their way over to the far outside of the field.
Spotting a gap between the Candy Lerner-trained Miramar (Profitable) and the weakening Japanese raider King Hermes (Lord Kanaloa), Artorius produced his customary finishing kick to grab sixth place at the line, two and a quarter lengths behind winner Highfield Princess (Night Of Thunder).
Artorius is now set for a short break back in Newmarket before returning to Australia and Freedman suggested the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr.1, 1200m) winner could target the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on October 29.
In the autumn there’s not an awful lot for him. So we’ll chat to the guys and hopefully come back and give it another crack. "Next year he’ll be a more seasoned horse. The penny is starting to drop with him, he just needs a few things to go right."
Following his European campaign, Artorius was to return to Australia where he was to attempt the A$15 million The Everest and A$8 million Golden Eagle this spring.