Double Trouble

DOUBLE TROUBLE 
Only the very elite can return to win a second G1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and there are several question marks surrounding last year’s heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) as she bids for immortality today, but by rights the focus must first fall on the class act of 2013 when examining the main protagonists for the latest edition. Having produced one of the race’s all-time most visually stunning performances in the Al Shaqab silks 12 months ago, it is truly anti-climactic that she has failed to win in three starts so far this term. Unlike last year, when she arrived here on the crest of a wave following an emphatic success in the G1 Prix Vermeille over this track and trip, her latest workmanlike fourth in the latest renewal of that contest failed to shake the doubts. Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek has retained the faith, and it would be folly to ignore her positive vibes. “She seems to be fine and the Vermeille did her a lot of good,” she commented. “She was a bit rusty there and I think she has improved a lot. She was out of training for a month and a half after Ascot and Thierry [Jarnet] knew that the target was the Arc. It was a slowly-run race and it was difficult to come back on those in front, so she ran a good race.” While her short-neck second to Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Ganay over 10 1/2 furlongs here Apr. 27 was fully excusable, Treve’s subsequent efforts when third as the 8-13 favorite in the G1 Prince of Wales’s S. at Royal Ascot June 18 and fourth in the Vermeille Sept. 14 suggest she has it to do to get back to last year’s level. Head-Maarek agrees that she is not the proposition she was. “Maybe she’s not the same horse as last year–she doesn’t look the same, let’s be frank,” she added. “She looks happier now than before the Vermeille and is well in herself–she is jumping and kicking. We go with more hope than confidence this year, but she hasn’t said her last word yet.” 

Finding a Way… 
Japan’s lack of an Arc success is not for the want of trying, with the years since the near-miss of El Condor Pasa (Kingmambo) in 1999 seeing seconds for Nakayama Festa (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn})–on the last two occasions–and also a third with the subsequently disqualified Deep Impact (Jpn) (Sunday Silence). Providing a trio of live contenders this time, the land of the rising sun keeps on its travail for the elusive triumph. Heading the team is Akatsuki Yamatoya’s global highweight Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who was so impressive when stamping his authority on Meydan’s G1 Dubai Duty Free over nine furlongs Mar. 29 before returning home to annex the G1 Yasuda Kinen over a mile at Tokyo June 8. Trainer Naosuke Sugai, who also saddles the June 29 G1 Takarazuka Kinen scorer Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), commented, “Just a Way had a hard race last time and needed time to recover–he was tired and took time to recover condition, so he didn’t need a prep race. The Duty Free was his first time overseas, so he needed a break and there were not too many options for him afterwards. The mile-and-a-half distance is not going to be a big issue for him and Heart’s Cry was a late-improver who was best at five, so we see improvement in him.” Of his other contender, the conditioner added, “Gold Ship had an ideal preparation in August and the distance and track are pretty suitable for him. He prefers soft ground, with a good cushion so very fast ground is not ideal.” Gold Ship was second to the country’s other raider and G1 Oka Sho heroine Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen over 10 furlongs at Sapporo Aug. 24 and the latter’s representative Yasuhiro Matsumoto said, “She was not in such good form for her last race, so we didn’t expect a lot but it was a good performance and much better than we expected. We hope she will improve more and put up a good performance in the Arc.” 

The World Awaits… 
Aidan O’Brien’s sole winner was the 4-year-old Dylan Thomas (Ire) in 2007 and he has another of that age group this time in last year’s G1 Epsom Derby hero Ruler of the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). With Frankie Dettori up, the colt–who is part-owned by Al Shaqab Racing and Coolmore–will lack nothing for guidance around this circuit, and he has already been privy to the Italian’s skills when making all in the course-and-distance G2 Prix Foy three weeks ago. Only seventh in this last year, he looks to have improved with time on his back, but he has a year-younger rival to contend with from his own stable in J “TDN Rising Star” J Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Her claims hinge on her upset of race favorite and G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks Aug. 21, after which she was ninth without being disgraced reverting to an inadequate mile in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 13. “It was a good performance at York and if she runs to that form she should be thereabouts,” jockey Ryan Moore commented. “She’s nicely drawn and a mile in the Matron last time didn’t suit her.” 

Due to retainer and weight issues, Joseph O’Brien is on last year’s G1 Irish Oaks winner Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), and admits the wide-drawn 4-year-old has a mountain to climb on the form of her return second in The Curragh’s G2 Blandford S. over 10 furlongs last time Sept. 14. “She had a very good run in the Blandford and it was a nice starting point after a long layoff,” her rider commented. “I think she was off for more than a year and the trip should improve her. The draw is far from ideal, though, and it’s hard to win from that draw.” 

An Up-Hill Battle… 
No winner of Doncaster’s G1 St Leger has gone on to Arc glory, with two of the best winners of that Classic to have tried and failed being Nijinsky and Reference Point (GB). This year’s hero is Paul Smith’s Kingston Hill (GB)(Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and while a case can be argued for him, he is drawn widest of all in 20. Trainer Roger Varian is remaining positive about the prospects of the G1 Epsom Derby runner-up and said, “He is showing me every sign that he has improved for that run and I am very happy with his condition. Obviously, we would have preferred a better draw but we are excited to be involved in one of the best races in the world and go there with a fighting chance.” Another who has outside claims is Gestut Schlenderhan’s Ivanhowe (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), but his defeat of this race’s longtime favorite Sea the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Sept. 7 G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden looked less of an achievement when it was revealed that the runner-up had sustained a career-ending injury in the race. “This is a big opportunity for the horse and the trainer,” trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho told PA Sport. “The sun has been shining in France, but I do not think the fast ground will be a problem. Everything has gone to plan for the big day. I think we have a very good horse for the Arc.” 

John Deer’s triple Group 1 winner Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was sixth last year before a failed spell at stud, but has yet to convince that he has recaptured old glories and was a latest fifth in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown Sept. 13. “After he ran in Ireland, the jockey seemed to think a mile and a half would possibly suit him better than a mile and a quarter these days,” his owner-breeder told PA Sport. “He has won over a mile and a half before, at Newmarket, so we know the distance isn’t a problem. We knew it would be difficult bringing him back from stallion duties, but he’s won a Group 3 and we’ve had a go at a Group 1.” 

Freddy Head’s runners can never be entirely discounted and Olivier Thomas’ Free Port Lux (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) earned a late ticket with a win in the 10-furlong G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange here Sept. 20. “The owners wanted to have a try and the horse is very well and is improving,” Head said. “He’s tough and although a mile and a quarter is his distance and this may be a bit long for him, it’s not a great Arc this year and you never know.” 

His Highness The Aga Khan’s June 29 G2 Prix de Malleret winner Dolniya (Fr) (Azamour {Ire}) is another who is impossible to discount based on the recent record of 3-year-old fillies, and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre is hopeful after her latest third in the Vermeille. “She could improve from the Vermeille and is a strong filly who tries,” he said. “She stays very well and we don’t know exactly how good the race is with the Japanese horses and the good filly who won the Pouliches and Diane [Avenir Certain]. I think if the ground ends up a little soft it will be okay, but not very soft. She has only run a few times and so is very fresh.”