First Sunday in October
September 30th 2010 09:08
The attention of the thoroughbred racing world will be centred upon Melbourne in Australia in November, when the running of the 150th Melbourne Cup will take place. As is the tradition, the Melbourne Cup will be run on the first Tuesday in November. The first Melbourne Cup was run in 1861 - won by Archer, who would win again in 1862 - but it was not until 1875 that Tuesday became the preferred day for this world renowned race. Such was the popularity of the Melbourne Cup that it was inevitable that a public holiday in Victoria would be announced, and in 1877 a public holiday was gazetted for this day of holiday and celebration.
(photo: AP)
Coming up this weekend, on the traditional first Sunday of October, the attention of the thoroughbred world will be focussed on the beautiful Longchamp racecourse in Paris, France, where the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be run over 2400 metres. The Arc is the second richest turf race in the world, coming second only to the Japan Cup.
The ‘Arc’ as it is more commonly known, is one of the most celebrated races in the world and has been described as:
“Ce n’est pas une course, c’est un monument” – “Not so much a race as a monument.”
Although the connections of Champion mare Makybe Diva once toyed with the prospect of running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Australia’s sole representation in the French classic comes from the John Singleton (part) owned Strawberry Road, who finished fifth in the 1984 Arc behind Sagace. What entailed post-race is now part of racing folklore, when John Singleton picked up English jockey Greville Starkey and held him up (like a rag doll) at face level while he and fellow owners questioned him as to why he led for home on the Australian champion. No horse in history has led into the straight and won an Arc, with French racing, like the bulk of European racing, often having second or third strings entries from the best stables engaged in feature events to act as pacemakers for their more fancied runners. Perhaps this was one historic victory - as significant as an Americas Cup upset - that evaded Australia. Our horse had winged heels, but it seems that his jockey-sailor had misplaced his compass.
Strawberry Road was a stallion and would later have a large impact at stud. It is the fact that to qualify for entry into the Arc a horse must be: three years old or older, and must not be a gelding. This stipulation would always have denied - even if the inclination was present - many of Australia’s most likely candidates. At present Australia does have a candidate as well credentialled - if not better credentialled - than the unlucky Strawberry Road. It is the Champion So You Think. However it does seem most unlikely that Bart Cummings would decide to travel a horse overseas to race - even if the then five year old entire stayed in training in 2011.
This year the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lacks the drawcard of the the past two editions when racing superstars, Sea The Stars (2009), and Zarkava (2008,) were stunningly successful.
The favourite this year - at a far more generous quote than favourites of recent years - is Behkabad at $4.50. Behkabad has been in brilliant form in France with a Group 1 victory in the Grand Prix de Paris, and the Group 2 Prix Niel, with both of these races being run over the 2400m of the Arc at Longchamp.
Other main contenders include the Aidan O’Brien trained Fame And Glory who is unbeaten at his past four starts including a victory in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.
The brilliant winner of the Epsom Derby, Workforce, is 3rd favourite at $6.00. If he does start he will be trying to atone for his last start failure when favourite behind his stablemate Harbinger in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The stunning victory by Harbinger propelled him to Arc favouritism before his career was prematurely cut short by injury.
Perennial Arc placegetter Youmzain is also engaged, and although long odds this year he will be attempting to go one better than his second placing in the last three renewals of the Arc. This field lacks the absolute champions of the last two years - although Youmzain is now a seven year old.
The Arc of 2010 will be fascinating due to the evenness of the field, and perhaps, unlike recent years, there is the opportunity for an upset result. With seven of the past ten winners being 3 year olds, history suggests that Behkabad; Cape Blanco; Workforce; Planteur; Sarafina; and Lope De Vega, will all be well suited. Sarafina only began racing in May of this year - is owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Alain De Royer Dupre, as was Zarkava - and won the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at her 2nd race start.
Of the older horses, Aiden O'Brien’s Fame And Glory failed last year when 6th behind Sea The Stars - but there are no horses of his calibre - or Zarkava’s - engaged this year. And Youmzain would be the equal oldest horse (with Motrico in 1937) to win an Arc. But after being unlucky not to defeat Dylan Thomas in 2007 - then very brave behind superstars Zarkava and Sea The Stars in the past two years - he may very well create a piece of history in the 2010 renewal.
The Longchamp track is expected to be heavy on Sunday which will negate the prospects of a few unknown on such soft ground.
Youmzain will (finally) be retired at year’s end. If he had won any of his past three Arc appearances he would already have been long retired. It would be wonderful to send him off with a fairytale finish. French Filly Sarafina has the right credentials and should be adept on wet ground - and she can surprise.
My selections:
1 Youmzain
2 Sarafina
3 Behkabad
4 Workforce
Youmzain finishin 2nd behind Sea The Stars in the 2009 Arc
(photo: AP)
Coming up this weekend, on the traditional first Sunday of October, the attention of the thoroughbred world will be focussed on the beautiful Longchamp racecourse in Paris, France, where the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will be run over 2400 metres. The Arc is the second richest turf race in the world, coming second only to the Japan Cup.
The ‘Arc’ as it is more commonly known, is one of the most celebrated races in the world and has been described as:
“Ce n’est pas une course, c’est un monument” – “Not so much a race as a monument.”
Although the connections of Champion mare Makybe Diva once toyed with the prospect of running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Australia’s sole representation in the French classic comes from the John Singleton (part) owned Strawberry Road, who finished fifth in the 1984 Arc behind Sagace. What entailed post-race is now part of racing folklore, when John Singleton picked up English jockey Greville Starkey and held him up (like a rag doll) at face level while he and fellow owners questioned him as to why he led for home on the Australian champion. No horse in history has led into the straight and won an Arc, with French racing, like the bulk of European racing, often having second or third strings entries from the best stables engaged in feature events to act as pacemakers for their more fancied runners. Perhaps this was one historic victory - as significant as an Americas Cup upset - that evaded Australia. Our horse had winged heels, but it seems that his jockey-sailor had misplaced his compass.
Strawberry Road was a stallion and would later have a large impact at stud. It is the fact that to qualify for entry into the Arc a horse must be: three years old or older, and must not be a gelding. This stipulation would always have denied - even if the inclination was present - many of Australia’s most likely candidates. At present Australia does have a candidate as well credentialled - if not better credentialled - than the unlucky Strawberry Road. It is the Champion So You Think. However it does seem most unlikely that Bart Cummings would decide to travel a horse overseas to race - even if the then five year old entire stayed in training in 2011.
This year the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe lacks the drawcard of the the past two editions when racing superstars, Sea The Stars (2009), and Zarkava (2008,) were stunningly successful.
The favourite this year - at a far more generous quote than favourites of recent years - is Behkabad at $4.50. Behkabad has been in brilliant form in France with a Group 1 victory in the Grand Prix de Paris, and the Group 2 Prix Niel, with both of these races being run over the 2400m of the Arc at Longchamp.
Other main contenders include the Aidan O’Brien trained Fame And Glory who is unbeaten at his past four starts including a victory in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom.
The brilliant winner of the Epsom Derby, Workforce, is 3rd favourite at $6.00. If he does start he will be trying to atone for his last start failure when favourite behind his stablemate Harbinger in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The stunning victory by Harbinger propelled him to Arc favouritism before his career was prematurely cut short by injury.
Perennial Arc placegetter Youmzain is also engaged, and although long odds this year he will be attempting to go one better than his second placing in the last three renewals of the Arc. This field lacks the absolute champions of the last two years - although Youmzain is now a seven year old.
The Arc of 2010 will be fascinating due to the evenness of the field, and perhaps, unlike recent years, there is the opportunity for an upset result. With seven of the past ten winners being 3 year olds, history suggests that Behkabad; Cape Blanco; Workforce; Planteur; Sarafina; and Lope De Vega, will all be well suited. Sarafina only began racing in May of this year - is owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Alain De Royer Dupre, as was Zarkava - and won the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at her 2nd race start.
Of the older horses, Aiden O'Brien’s Fame And Glory failed last year when 6th behind Sea The Stars - but there are no horses of his calibre - or Zarkava’s - engaged this year. And Youmzain would be the equal oldest horse (with Motrico in 1937) to win an Arc. But after being unlucky not to defeat Dylan Thomas in 2007 - then very brave behind superstars Zarkava and Sea The Stars in the past two years - he may very well create a piece of history in the 2010 renewal.
The Longchamp track is expected to be heavy on Sunday which will negate the prospects of a few unknown on such soft ground.
Youmzain will (finally) be retired at year’s end. If he had won any of his past three Arc appearances he would already have been long retired. It would be wonderful to send him off with a fairytale finish. French Filly Sarafina has the right credentials and should be adept on wet ground - and she can surprise.
My selections:
1 Youmzain
2 Sarafina
3 Behkabad
4 Workforce
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