The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is looms a massive thrill this weekend, run at Longchamp Racecourse this coming Sunday. Bidding to be the first horse to win this top European middle distance event three years in a row, Treve has been the spotlight of the race for months. She was invincible and flawless in her performances this year, including last time when she thumped her opponents to win the Prix Vermeille by six lengths.
Reports earlier this week suggested after her victory last time she pulled up well and was thriving in her recent training. I think nobody can fault on her pre-race preparation, adding that she was lightly raced this year, and has been primed for the race. I’m thrilled to visit Paris this weekend, and would love to see if the three Derby winners this year – Epsom Derby winner Golden Horn, Irish Derby champion Jack Hobbs, and especially the progressive French Derby winner New Bay can mount a challenge, deterring this super mare in her quest for an unprecedented third success in the race.
While European racing approaching its climax of the season, our group race fixture will also commence in Hong Kong with the HKG3 National Day Cup and HKG3 Celebration Cup this afternoon.
Group 1 winners such as Dan Excel, Amber Sky and Dominant, as well as other top-class performers like Peniaphobia and Beauty Flame, are some of the big names that will be running in both races. They will be begin their build-up to our key races later in the season, and hope to land some spoils in between. I hope you enjoy these exciting contests, as well as our featured National Day celebration and special performances before in the Sha Tin Parade Ring.
For the National Day Cup, it is run as a HKG3 handicap over the 1000m straight as Race 7 with a minimum rating requirement of 95. The race attracted a top class field reaching from Peniaphobia with a rating of 123 to All You Wish with a rating of 104, which is real Class 1 quality.
Hong Kong's fastest horses are engaged here, with Amber Sky being drawn in the inside gate, meaning Zac Purton will have to use his prodigious speed to cross them to get a more favourable position on the outside rail. He will lead with Rad, Peniaphobia and Bundle Of Joy next to him. Super Jockey and Not Listenin'tome will settle behind the early space with all the other horses behind midfield and Tour De Force and All You Wish have to come from last.
The good to fast pace should help to create opportunities for horses coming from off the pace but it is still not easy to catch brilliant "speed machines" like Amber Sky who is working very well but has the disadvantage of gate one, but he still should have at least a chance to be placed.
Peniaphobia seems to be a little bit on the heavy side and will likely need this race to come to full fitness. Bundle Of Joy's trial on 18 September was good and he looks to be in good form already and his track work is very good and back to his best but the draw in gate 2 is a slight handicap. Rad is working very well too and is another win and place chance. Outside chances are for me Not Listenin'tome and with a potential too fast pace All You Wish.
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