LUNEDÌ 28 SETTEMBRE 2015+++Breaking News+++: Fine del rapporto Grizzetti/Riccardi – Nuova Sbarra
Francia, domenica c’è l’Arc de Triomphe: Golden Horn verso la supplementazione a €120,000, favoritissima Treve
Irlanda e Germania: Coolmore e Port Douglas al Curragh, a Colonia Nightflower vince il GP von Europa e punta l’Italia
Golden Horn: Derby winner is at his best on quick ground
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Fighting talk from Horn camp before Treve clash
ON THE day trainer Criquette Head-Maarek said victory in Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe would make wondermareTreve the greatest female thoroughbred in turf history, the owner of one of her closest rivals in the betting, Derby-winner Golden Horn, has claimed his horse would “easily” beat the dual Arc heroine on fast ground.
A predominately dry forecast for the remainder of the week now appears to have secured Golden Horn’s presence in Sunday’s Group 1 line up and his owner Anthony Oppenheimer was unequivocal in his assessment of what the outcome would be if the pair ever met and conditions were fast.
“I’m delighted to take her on and I really, seriously believe if we had firm ground, or good to firm, we’d win easily,” said Oppenheimer.
Backing up that claim, he added: “Look at the ratings and the times he’s done on good ground. Treve’s not mad on good ground and I would be very surprised if we couldn’t beat her and beat her quite well. I’m talking on good ground – not on soft ground.”
‘I think we’ve got a great chance’
The likelihood of fast conditions on Sunday remain slim, although officials at Longchamp think the ground may have dried to good to soft (from soft) by some stage on Tuesday.
Looking to Sunday’s race, Oppenheimer told At The Races: “The latest forecast seems to be very good weather. I know it’s soft in Paris at the moment but I can’t believe seven days of good sunshine can’t make it good ground. We’re really looking forward to running in the Arc and taking her and the others on.
“I think we’ve got a great chance. If it stays halfway between good and soft that’s fine.”
Breeders’ Cup Turf is still an option for Golden Horn after Sunday
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Hoping for a fast pace, he added: “We really want people to know how good this horse is. Like in the Derby, when he gets the ground he wants and comes from behind, John thinks he’s a wonderhorse.
“I thought in Ireland he would have done better over further but we could run out of stamina in the Arc if it’s on the soft side of good.
“I would love a fast run race and I think he will stay.”
‘Breeders’ Cup is a definite possibility’
While this looks likely to be Golden Horn’s last season on the track, there could be a final chapter to come after Sunday.
Oppenheimer said: “It’s entirely up to the horse. If the horse comes second or third in the Arc and is still in good condition I think the Breeders’ Cup is a definite possibility on the turf. I don’t feel he needs to run as a four-year-old.”
Solow: Ascot favourite warmed up for his Queen Elizabeth II Stakes date
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Solow set for Ascot after Maisons-Laffitte outing
SOLOW was the guest star ahead of a low-key twilight card at Maisons-Laffitte on Monday when stepping up his preparation for the Qipco-backed Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in the company of two work companions.
Solow is a red-hot even-money favourite for the Group 1 on Qipco British Champions Day on October 17, with bookmakers going 8-1 bar him.
Maxime Guyon sat in the slipstream of his two lead horses – the 105-rated Extremis and Green Sweet, a further 4lb his inferior – before easing the four-time Group 1 winner to the front with the minimum of fuss at the end of the straight mile.
Trainer Freddy Head said: “The horse worked very well, but above all it is Maxime Guyon’s opinion that counts, and he found Solow to be very well – as he always is.”
The most recent of Solow’s quartet of top-level wins came in the Sussex Stakes, and Head was keen to give the flying grey a proper feel of a day at the races before his date at Ascot.
He added: “He hasn’t run since July and I wanted to give him a bit of a taste of competition. Maxime said he was very calm and he moved very well. We are three weeks off the race and that work will do him good.”