Australian owned Cox Plate contender Light Infantry was a well supported favourite in the Group III Superior Mile (1m) at Haydock overnight, but he came up short when beaten comfortably by quality Wootton Bassett stallion Chindit.
A Group winner at two, three and four, the Richard Hannon trained Chindit can mix his form, but on his day is very effective and has multiple Group wins and Group I placings on his resume.
With Light Infantry held up in traffic, Chindit stole a march and was strong to the lien for James Doyle to win by more than two lengths.
“Chindit deserves it, he's such an honest horse. We were frustrated to get beat last time. He's been going well at home and we were confident and he's won impressively. We'll see how he comes back and take it from there, but there are a few plans and we'll see what the boss chooses,” said assistant trainer Hector Tournier.
Chindit was a 65,000 guinea purchases from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and has the overall record of eight wins and four placings from 21 starts.
He is the best of two winners from Always a Dream, a winning Oasis Dream mare from the family of Group I Epsom Derby winner Motivator.
Chindit is one of 37 stakes-winners by Wootton Bassett (GB), who looked sensational at the recent Coolmore stallion parades and stands at a fee of $93,500 with his first yearlings to sell here in 2024.
Footnote: Light Infantry came to Australia briefly last year to finish sixth behind I Wish I Win in the Golden Eagle and has been most competitive in elite races in Europe this year with three G1 placings at his three runs prior to this assignment.
Last week, Light Infantry was confirmed as a runner for the King Charles Stakes in Sydney on October 14 and the Cox Plate on October 28 with Zac Purton booked to ride.
