Molly Malone, always in striking position for jockey Umberto Rispoli, closed with a rush to win the marathon Qatar Prix du Cadran (Fr-I) to conclude the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe program at Longchamp Oct. 7.
The 12-1 chance defeated narrow favorite High Jinx by 2 1/2 lengths in the 4,000-meter contest (about 2 1/2 miles) over heavy going.
The French-bred Molly Malone scored her first group victory for trainer Mikel Delzangles. The 4-year-old filly, owned and bred by Dieter Burkle, is by Lomitas out of the German Law Society mare Moonlight Melody.
Molly Malone was settled into second or third along the inside as Vadamar showed the way through the long journey. The dark bay or brown filly angled out a bit for the drive and put her head in front with about 300 meters to run. She drew off from there as High Jinx and Colour Vision came on for the minor placings. High Jinx edged Colour Vision by a half a length for second in the field 10. The final time was 4:43.60 over the boggy going.
Molly Malone was coming off a 10th in the Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville (Fr-II) at Deauville, the only time in her nine-race career that she missed finishing in the first three. She has three wins and five placings to her credit.