Connections of Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) were pleased to see some rain fall in Paris Monday ahead of her bid to retain her G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe crown at Longchamp Oct. 5. The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained filly was an impressive winner of Europe's premier middle-distance prize last October when capping her undefeated 3-year-old campaign. The bay has had her fair share of problems since then with a second behind Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp Apr. 27 in her seasonal bow and a third to The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales S. June 18. However, she is reported to have done everything right since her latest run in the G1 Prix Vermeille, when she was fourth to Baltic Baroness (Ger) (Shamardal).
“Treve is in good form,” commented Harry Herbert, manager to owners Al Shaqab Racing. “They had rain in Paris today, so the more of that the better as far as making it good or on the easier side of good, which would suit her best. There's no way I've lost faith in her. If she gets her ground and she will have needed the run last time as well –hopefully she will go to the Arc spot on.”
Al Shaqab Racing also has an equally strong contender as part-owners in the Elie Lellouche-trained Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}), who burst into the picture with a smart performance to win the G2 Prix Niel on his first try at a mile and a half after a five-month lay-off. A winner of the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as a juvenile, the bay looks to add another win at the highest level Sunday.
“Ectot worked this morning and did it very nicely,” said Herbert. “It was his last gentle piece before the weekend. I thought it was a bold move to run him over a mile and a half by Elie first time after a lay-off. It said a lot about the horse. He was very impressive and will come on a lot for that run, obviously, match-fitness wise.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
