by Michael Burns

Haras Doce Vale's homebred Flymetothemoon unleashed a late rally to win the Grande Premio Linneo de Paula Machado (Brz-G1) (Gran Criterium) on Sunday at Hipodromo La Gavea in Rio de Janeiro.

Under a ground-saving trip and patient ride from Elizandro Costa, who secured his first Group 1 victory, the Roi Normand colt used a devastating turn of foot to overtake the leaders with 1 ½ furlongs remaining en route to a 3 ¾-length victory.

Hot Six edged Olympic Rules for second in a five-horse photo for the runner-up spot.

Jockey Tiago Pereira, rider of sixth-place finisher Rutini, claimed foul against the winner but it was disallowed.

Trained by Venancio Nahid, Flymetothemoon covered 2,000 meters (9.94 furlongs) in 2:00.73 on turf rated as soft to register his first group stakes victory and third straight win from six career starts. He entered off consecutives victories at La Gavea, including the listed Classico Justica do Trabalho on September 7.

Flymetothemoon is out of Brazilian Group 1 winner Onefortheroad, by Ghadeer. Flymetothemoon is a full brother to 2007 Grande Premio Diana (Brz-G1) (Brazilian Oaks) winner Eissoai (Brz) and to Brazilian Group 1 winner and Grade 3 winner Ay Caramba (Brz).

Michael Burns is a South America-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent