Arizona Blaze fires home in Prix Sigy

The Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot looms large for Arizona Blaze following an impressive front-running victory in the Prix Sigy at Chantilly.

Adrian Murray’s charge showed top-class form as a juvenile last season, winning at Group Three level before being placed in the Norfolk Stakes, the Railway Stakes and the Phoenix Stakes before being beaten just half a length into second place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Following an impressive comeback victory at Dundalk, Arizona Blaze stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time in a Group Three at Leopardstown last month, but while he performed with credit in finishing a close third behind Henri Matisse, connections opted to revert to sprinting in France.

The decision paid off in some style, with the Sergei Prokofiev colt dominating from the start under David Egan and he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post two and a half lengths to the good.

Coral make Arizona Blaze a 16-1 shot for the Commonwealth Cup in June and Murray views the Group One contest as an ideal summer target.

Murray said: “He was very good today and we’re very happy with him. We had it in the back of our heads that we might go for the (2000) Guineas (at Newmarket), but after Leopardstown we kind of backed off that and said we’d go back sprinting.

“I certainly wouldn’t rule out going back up to seven furlongs at the backend of the year, but we’ll go for the Commonwealth Cup now and he might just take in a Group Two in Haydock at the end of May before that (Sandy Lane Stakes).

“He’s got a lot of speed and that’s his 12th run today and he’s never been out of the first four. He seems to improve with every run and we’ll freshen him up now and we have a good idea where we’re going.”