Sir Mark Prescott hopes the drop down in class can help Moon Target open her account at pattern race level in the BetMGM Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park later this month.
The Newmarket handler has earmarked the mile Group Three as the most likely target for the Cracksman filly, who has been campaigned at the top table in two starts this year.
After finishing fourth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly then went one place better last time out in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville and on the back of those runs, Prescott is keen to return Moon Target back to calmer waters before taking aim at more Group One targets.
Prescott said: “Moon Target is very well and she will probably run in the Atalanta. We will then run in the Sun Chariot back at Newmarket all being well after that.
“It was another very good run over in France, but those top fillies are so consistent and I just can’t seem to get past them. I’ve made the running, held her up, and done everything, but they just keep producing their form which is wonderful really.
“I’ve won the Atalanta with less good ones, but I’m sure it will still take some winning.”
A return trip to Doncaster to contest the Group Two Betfred Park Hill Stakes could be on the agenda for Consent again ahead of trying to defend her crown in the Group One Prix Royallieu at Longchamp.
The Denford Stud-owned filly left behind her seasonal comeback at the top table in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp after shaping with more promise last time out when finishing fourth in the Group Two Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood.
Prescott said: “I thought Consent ran much better at Goodwood. She is pretty good, and very sound, and she goes beautifully on firm ground, but she can beat them when it gets soft as she is by Lope De Vega.
“William’s lovely filly (Santorini Star) just beat me at Doncaster last year then I beat her in the Royallieu. She will do more or less exactly the same now and probably go to Doncaster next. The plan then will be to go back to the Royallieu. She might even run late in the year as well.”
A quick turnaround could be on the cards for stablemate Martinet following her third in the Group Three Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.
Providing the Denford Stud-own filly shapes up during the early part of the week, then a trip to Ireland on Friday to contest the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Firville Stakes at Cork.
Prescott said: “I was very pleased with Martinet as she is quite tiny. She is as small as I’ve had. The commentator, when she ran at Wolverhampton, said he had never seen Luke Morris so big, and I’ve never seen a number cloth look so big!
“She is now a winner, and Group race placed which is marvellous. If she was okay she would run on Friday in Cork. Now is her moment, firm ground and smallish fields, as they will only catch her up.”
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