3.05 Sunday: Longchamp
Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky
Godolphin mean business with Classic super duo Adayar and Hurricane Lane
Impassioned cries of ‘allez les bleus’ are commonplace in Paris and they are likely to be yelled with as much fervour at Longchamp as they would be when the French national teams play, because this year Godolphin mean business in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
In Derby winner Adayar and dual Classic star Hurricane Lane, Godolphin make their strongest assault on Europe’s biggest race for nearly two decades in a bid to add a crowning achievement to a season that has heralded a return of the operation to superpower status.
Trainer Charlie Appleby, who supplies both Godolphin runners, has spearheaded the rise of Sheikh Mohammed’s behemoth back to the top of the world, delivering 11 Group/Grade 1s this year before the start of the weekend, and standing within touching distance himself of claiming a maiden British trainers’ title and a first for a Godolphin trainer since 2004.
Leading the charge in the world’s biggest races is where those associated with Godolphin feel it should be, with the back-to-back victories for Sakhee, bred and initially raced by the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, and Marienbard in 2001-02 ready to be added to on Sunday afternoon.
Adayar, who has been vying with Tarnawa for favouritism all week, is the chosen one for Appleby’s first-choice rider William Buick, but he will need to overcome a less than helpful draw in stall 11.
Yet, the prospect of soft ground and a wide draw for Adayar have not created any concern for Appleby, as his three-year-old seeks to emulate the likes of Sea The Stars, Workforce and Golden Horn in winning the Arc in the same year as the Derby.
“Adayar showed as a two-year-old he likes soft ground,” Appleby said. “In the King George he showed his class, as the ground was plenty quick enough that day. We are certainly happier being on soft rather than quick ground going into an Arc. With his draw, it will come down to what the pace is on the day.
“Adayar has not missed a beat since the minor setback [before Arc trials day] and I couldn’t be happier with his wellbeing.”
With Buick riding Adayar, James Doyle takes the mount on Hurricane Lane as the rider seeks to go one better than when an agonising second on Sea Of Class in the 2018 Arc behind Enable.
“It can’t have been an easy decision for Will, there’s not too much between the two,” Doyle said. “He’s proven on soft ground and the trip’s fine, back to a mile and a half should be perfect. He’s won the Grand Prix de Paris round there, so he’s had a good look at the place before.”
Appleby is in agreement with Doyle about softer ground benefiting Hurricane Lane, with his stamina proven after winning the St Leger last month, though no Leger winner has gone on to Arc glory in the same season.
“We know the soft ground is going to suit Hurricane Lane,” Appleby said. “But as a bonus, we know if it becomes a stamina-sapping Arc, he has already proven he has stamina in abundance.
“It’s a double positive for him and I’m very pleased the way he has come out of the St Leger. He’s had a busy season, so it has been a simple prep to have him ready for the Arc.”
He added: “William and James know the horses well. They know their strengths. When the gates open, they will know where they should be placing their horses.”
Peter Scargill, reporter
Adayar v Hurricane Lane: our team on who is the better Arc candidate
Superstar mare Tarnawa out to crown a glorious half-century for Dermot Weld
He has won 26 European Classics, conquered the Melbourne Cup twice, the Hong Kong Mile, the Secretariat and Belmont Stakes, but the Arc still eludes one of the greatest trainers Ireland has ever produced. Could Tarnawa be the one to crown the stellar 49-year training career of Dermot Weld?
This is unquestionably his best ever chance of landing Europe’s biggest prize.
Tarnawa is vying for favouritism with Adayar and few could argue with her position at the top of the market. This has been the ultimate aim for the five-year-old daughter of Shamardal who was purposely held back for an autumn campaign.
Last year’s Prix de l’Opera winner has since proven herself to be every bit as good as the boys on the biggest stages of all.
A stunning late surge saw her land the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November. It was not any old Breeders’ Cup Turf either, it was one that contained the seven-time Group 1 winner Magical as well as Lord North and Mogul. She came widest of all, late and fast, and won a shade snugly at the line under Colin Keane.
Her first start at five was as straightforward as her starting price suggested when she won the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown by six and a half lengths.
We presumed she would defend her Prix Vermeille crown after that but Weld thought otherwise. Tarnawa was back over 1m2f for the Irish Champion Stakes, a bold move by a trainer who is never afraid to shirk a challenge. She was beaten but, if anything, in getting within three quarters of a length of the recently retired St Mark’s Basilica she enhanced her reputation.
Over a trip short of her best, on ground that was faster than she would like, she was just denied having been carried across the track by the wayward winner.
Weld rues tactics as St Mark’s survives inquiry and Tarnawa challenge
This is her date with destiny.
Weld said of Tarnawa: “She’s a tough, very genuine and consistent filly and her preparation has gone very well. She takes her training well and it’s been straightforward since Leopardstown. We’ve just kept her ticking over. She’s a fit filly.
“It’s an above-average Arc and I’m well aware of the strength of the three-year-olds as well as the Japanese filly [Chrono Genesis] who will be as tough to beat as any.”
fonte : RacingPost
