DAVID LODER celebrated his first French Group One success at Deauville yesterday when Bahamian Bounty, under Frankie Dettori, bravely denied the hotpot Zamindar in the Group One Prix Morny Piaget (6f).
Zamindar, being touted as a future 2,000 Guineas winner, tried to stretch his field in the big juvenile test, as Bahamian Bounty (11 to 2) tracked Zafonic's full brother throughout.
However, Zamindar, clearly lacking the acceleration of his top class full brother, Zafonic, was out battled in the final furlong as Bahamian Bounty got up by a neck.
Pas de Reponse, the only other home runner, was three lengths back in third, with the remaining two British runners, Rich Ground and Blue Ridge, fourth and last of five respectively.
Lode, having previously tasted Group One wins in Britain and Italy, said "We took a bit of a gamble coming here as Bahamian Bounty had only won a small race at Yarmouth previously.
"However, Bahamian Bounty is a tremendously courageous horse and happily it paid off. His next target will be the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in October."
Grant Pritchard Gordon, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah said.
"It is difficult to blame a horse (Zamindar) that gets narrowly beaten on only his third outing. Perhaps he would have done better with a leader and a stiffer pace."
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