'He just took lengths out of them' - six up for unbeaten Lazzat as Jerome Reynier savours Prix Maurice de Gheest rout

Group 1 sprints are rarely decided until deep inside the final furlong but Lazzat took apart the best field assembled for this race in some time with a performance of real authority under Antonio Orani.

In doing so he gave Jerome Reynier a second win in this race in four years and, whereas his previous winner Marianafoot was a seasoned campaigner crowning his career, Lazzat has a potentially huge future ahead of him, after beating Exxtra and Beauvatier by three lengths and upwards to make it six wins from as many starts.

July Cup winner Mill Stream looked a danger as the race began to unwind but failed to see out the extra half-furlong, and it was Flora Of Bermuda who proved best of the visitors in fourth.

Reynier is one of the most articulate race-readers you can encounter but even he was left struggling to comprehend what Nurlan Bizakov's gelded son of Territories had just done to his rivals.

Reynier said: "Incredible! He didn't need anybody else. I was worried he was doing too much too early to win but he just took lengths out of them."

Bizakov and Reynier have made no secret of their desire to take on the challenge of the A$10 million (£5.1m/€6m) Golden Eagle at Rosehill in November. 

"He's entered in the Prix de la Foret and there's the Golden Eagle that we are very tempted by," said Reynier, who landed a major international success earlier this year when Facteur Cheval won the Dubai Turf. "The most important thing is to space his races out. 

"Today he looked in magnificent physical shape and he has an exceptional mind and he improves every time he runs. It's  amazing to win this race in that style."

Reflecting on a potential trip to Australia, Reynier added: "There are logistical challenges with two weeks of quarantine in Newmarket and two more over there, but the race is tailor-made for him. It's 1,500 metres confined to southern hemisphere four-year-olds, against whom he'll have a weight allowance.

"Last year the race was won by a Japanese horse with the same pull in the weights, so it's very attractive."

When Lazzat won the Prix Djebel at this course in April, Reynier began to tell the press about how highly he rated Orani, before deciding he should keep the Italian jockey's talent a secret for a little while longer.

Jerome Reynier was blown away by Lazzat's victoryCredit: Racing Post/Burton

The Djebel was Orani's first Group-race win in France and Lazzat has now made him a Group 1-winner in his adopted country. 

"This is massive for me," said Orani. "He's very fast away but knows how to relax in the run before delivering his effort. I have to pay tribute to Franck Blondel, who rides him in the mornings and has done a great job, as well as the owner and trainer for placing their trust in me."

Exxtra was her usual bundle of energy before being let out onto the track but produced a career best to finish second. 

Joint-trainer Yann Lerner said: "We've built her entire season around this race and she has shown herself competitive at Group 1 level. She was drawn out of it in the Foret last year and heading back there looks the logical next step."

Happy connections after Lazzat makes his Group 1 breakthrough

Jake Warren was delighted with Flora Of Bermuda, who was supplemented on Wednesday and has now earned the right to aim at more Group 1 prizes.

"The Sprint Cup has got to be an option for her," said Warren, who acts on behalf of Bermuda Racing principal Simon Scupham. "We all know how quickly the ground can turn at Haydock and she handles soft ground incredibly well. She's very versatile in that regard. Then of course after that you've got Champions Day on soft ground over a stiff six."

Jane Chapple-Hyam was philosophical after Mill Stream failed to get home over the somewhat unusual trip. 

She said: "The ground was no excuse and William [Buick] felt that he ran a good race but that he didn't get the six and a half furlongs, so he'll come back to six at Haydock."

Read these next:

Erle battles from the front to secure German Oaks for the home team as overseas travellers falter 

'That was Liz Truss, wasn't it? This market could crash any minute' - the moment ITV and Richard Hoiles went viral with Goodwood quip 

Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.