Three days removed from Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})'s successful title defense in the G1 Nunthorpe S., trainer Michael Dods said the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye on the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe undercard Oct. 2 would be the 5-year-old mare's primary target before retiring to stud at the end of the season. The David Metcalfe colourbearer could also take in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint over six furlongs two weeks later.
“She came home fine and she'll have an easy week or two and then I'll start to build her back up for the Abbaye,” said Dods.
“The Flying Five [at The Curragh Sept. 11] isn't on the agenda anymore; it just comes too close to the Abbaye. I'm not keen for her to have a run before France as I like her to be nice and fresh.
The Abbaye is the number one target and then Ascot comes two weeks after that.”
“As Ascot would be her last race we might risk it, but at the moment France is the number one priority and only if she came out of that bouncing would we consider Ascot,” Dods added. “I have always wanted to try her over six before she retires but we'll just have to see.”
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