ASHAKLANI turned on the style in Paris yesterday by carrying the Aga Khan colours to a famous victory in the Group One Emirates Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
Despite the presence of his arch rival, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, Spinning World, the punters had no doubts as to the outcome and backed Gerald Mosse's mount down to 4 to 5 on his favoured fast ground.
Their judgement proved spot-on, with Ashkalani settling well in fourth under Gerald Mosse as Metaphor, Spinning World's pacemaker, opened up a big lead.
Metaphor weakened quickly in the straight and although Carling flattered briefly, there was going to be only one winner once the favourite quickened into the lead a furlong out.
Ashkalani soon had the race in safe keeping by accelerating a length and a half clear of Spinning World, who just held on to second by a short head from the fast-finishing Shake The Yoke.
Shake The Yoke didn't enjoy the clearest of passages and would have taken second in another stride or two.
The Aga Khan said: "Ashkalani is a lovely colt and he will probably head for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot later this month."
There is very little else for the French 2,000 Guineas winner, for his trainer, Alain de Royer-Dupre, is far from keen at having a crack at the Breeders Cup Mile in Canada in October.
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