Sarafina: Arc ante-post favourite tackles the Qatar Prix Foy
PICTURE: APRHPreview: France, Sunday
Longchamp
ARC trials day hits Longchamp on Sunday when a host of contenders attempt to press their credentials for the prestigious Group 1 in October, none more so than ante-post favourite Sarafina.
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre will be hoping that the four-year-old passes her pre-Arc test without a hitch in the Qatar Prix Foy, something that the odds-on Byword failed to achieve in this race twelve months ago.Longchamp
ARC trials day hits Longchamp on Sunday when a host of contenders attempt to press their credentials for the prestigious Group 1 in October, none more so than ante-post favourite Sarafina.
Currently a best-priced 4-1 for the big race, Sarafina has been plotted back to this point with the sole objective of bettering her third place in last year's Arc to Workforce, having almost been brought down turning for home.
"When she has her comeback runs she often improves on her next start," warned Royer-Dupre. "We have already seen that this year with her comeback run in the Ganay, and last year in the Vermeille."
Andre Fabre will hope that Meandre can follow up his impressive victory in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, as he runs in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel.
Fabre said: "Meandre is fine. My worry has been that there has been some virus in the stable, but he seems not to have been affected, so far it's going well. He enjoys any sort of ground, he's run on soft as well in the past."
Galikova (Freddy Head/Olivier Peslier) seeks a first Group 1 success in the Prix Vermeille, having put both Prix de Diane conqueror Golden Lilac and a selection of good colts in their place last time in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville.
Fabre said: "Meandre is fine. My worry has been that there has been some virus in the stable, but he seems not to have been affected, so far it's going well. He enjoys any sort of ground, he's run on soft as well in the past."
Galikova (Freddy Head/Olivier Peslier) seeks a first Group 1 success in the Prix Vermeille, having put both Prix de Diane conqueror Golden Lilac and a selection of good colts in their place last time in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville.
The daughter of Galileo had previously looked in need of a step up in trip when being outpaced in the Diane, and could improve for a first try at the Arc trip.
"She will be tackling 1m4f for the first time, but on breeding and on her style of running, that doesn't worry me," reasoned Freddy Head.
Currently as short as 10-1 for the Arc, Head won't publicly say whether that will be Galikova's ultimate target for the season.
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