Monday 6 July 2015 13:04, UK
Andre Fabre has pencilled in the Group Two Prix Guillaume d'Ornano as the likely next target for French Derby hero New Bay.
The Dubawi colt was a brilliant winner of the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly at the end of May and the French maestro considered bringing his charge to Britain for a potentially mouthwatering clash with Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.
That option was eventually shelved, and while Fabre has not completely ruled out taking on John Gosden's three-year-old in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot later this month, he is at this stage favouring a trip Deauville on August 15.
He said: "I was a bit worried about the ground and the heat, so we decided against Sandown, but he is fine.
"He is in the King George and we will discuss it with the Prince (Khalid Abdullah), but I think he is more likely to run in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.
"That is a Group Two over a mile and a quarter, which will be good for him."
While New Bay appears unlikely to travel to Berkshire, Fabre and Abdullah are still set be represented in the King George with Flintshire.
The ultra-consistent five-year-old has been placed in three Group Ones already this year, most recently chasing home wonder-mare Treve in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
"The King George is the plan for him," said Fabre.
"He ran his usual good race at Saint-Cloud and I am sure he will at Ascot, providing he gets fast ground."
