Montmartre doubtful for the Arc
August 6th 2008 17:40
Montmartre, who has been a warm favourite to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on October the 5th, is now a doubtful starter.
(photo: Remy de la Mauviniere AP)
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has confirmed that the grey son of Montjeu has not recovered from his emphatic win in the Grand Prix de Paris. Although the win appeared effortless, the very firm track, and effort taken to produce such a devastating sprint off a fast pace, has taken a toll and Alain de Royer-Dupre says that his colt has been 'bottomed' by the effort.
He told sportinglife.com: "He won brilliantly but he wasn't okay after the race. The ground was very firm and he came back a little bit sore. Maybe he still runs in the Arc, but at this stage I am not sure. He is doubtful."
Alain de Royer-Dupre and the Aga Khan should be commended for making such a clear and early comment with so much pre-race betting taking place on feature races.
But all is not lost for de Royer-Dupre and the Aga Khan - their champion unbeaten filly Zarkava has now been elevated to the position of favouritism for the Arc. This would also make the decision (to choose between Montmartre and Zarkava) for jockey Christophe Soumillon redundant.
In more Arc news it has been announced that Curlin will be having his next start in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga - on dirt. Although majority owner Jess Jackson says that this does not mean that the turf track experiment (and run in the Arc) is over, it does appear an unusual move if trying to get the horse to adapt to grass. My money is on Curlin running in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Some Arc markets have (Aidan O'Brien's Cox Plate nominated) Duke Of Marmalade as equal second favourite - and some even have him omitted (as they do with Curlin). I wonder if those who leave the Duke out of the Arc know more about his plans to travel to Melbourne?
LATEST ARC BETTING: 7-2 Zarkava, 5 Soldier Of Fortune, Duke of Marmalade, 6 New Approach, 10 Papal Bull, Prospect Wells, Getaway, Youmzain, 12 Vision D'Etat,
Zarkava with Christophe Soumillon
(photo: Remy de la Mauviniere AP)
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has confirmed that the grey son of Montjeu has not recovered from his emphatic win in the Grand Prix de Paris. Although the win appeared effortless, the very firm track, and effort taken to produce such a devastating sprint off a fast pace, has taken a toll and Alain de Royer-Dupre says that his colt has been 'bottomed' by the effort.
He told sportinglife.com: "He won brilliantly but he wasn't okay after the race. The ground was very firm and he came back a little bit sore. Maybe he still runs in the Arc, but at this stage I am not sure. He is doubtful."
Alain de Royer-Dupre and the Aga Khan should be commended for making such a clear and early comment with so much pre-race betting taking place on feature races.
But all is not lost for de Royer-Dupre and the Aga Khan - their champion unbeaten filly Zarkava has now been elevated to the position of favouritism for the Arc. This would also make the decision (to choose between Montmartre and Zarkava) for jockey Christophe Soumillon redundant.
In more Arc news it has been announced that Curlin will be having his next start in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga - on dirt. Although majority owner Jess Jackson says that this does not mean that the turf track experiment (and run in the Arc) is over, it does appear an unusual move if trying to get the horse to adapt to grass. My money is on Curlin running in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Some Arc markets have (Aidan O'Brien's Cox Plate nominated) Duke Of Marmalade as equal second favourite - and some even have him omitted (as they do with Curlin). I wonder if those who leave the Duke out of the Arc know more about his plans to travel to Melbourne?
LATEST ARC BETTING: 7-2 Zarkava, 5 Soldier Of Fortune, Duke of Marmalade, 6 New Approach, 10 Papal Bull, Prospect Wells, Getaway, Youmzain, 12 Vision D'Etat,
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