16 September 2018
Photo scoopdyga.com
The Qatar Arc Trials delivered their verdict in view of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) which takes centre stage at this same track on October 7th. If you had had to pick a name then Waldgeist (Galileo), the impressive winner of the Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2), would be that choice. Enable, Sea of Class and Cracksman are the leading Arc contenders, but there can be no doubt that the stock of Waldgeist has risen considerably.
Qatar Prix Foy: Waldgeist lays down a big marker
After winning the Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2) with real authority, Waldgeist (Galileo) established himself as the leading French contender in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1). After being held-up in second last position, the chestnut which represents the Gestüt Ammerland-Newsells Park Stud partnership, showed his authority by dominating his stablemates Talismanic (Medaglia d’Oro) and Cloth of Stars (Sea the Stars). He won easing up by two and a half lengths.
The four-year-old has thrived under the guidance of André Fabre to a point where he has reached the peak of his powers this season. Sufficiently talented as a juvenile to win the
Critérium de Saint-Cloud (Gr1), he was only beaten a head by Brametot (Rajsaman) in the Qipco Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) as a three-year-old last season. An irresistible force this year, he won the Prix d’Hédouville (Gr3) en route to turning on the style in the Grand Prix de Chantilly (Gr2). He then scrapped his way to victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr1).
Dietrich Von Boetticher, the co-owner of Waldgeist, said: « He’s a physically imposing type who tends to carry a lot of condition and he has needed time to reach maturity. He has done nothing but progress and his trainer André Fabre knows how to graduate his training accordingly. I thought he was impressive today. The Prix Foy is a stepping stone to the Arc and it was a conclusive test. The Arc is the next logical step.»
The second and third, the Godolphin pair Talismanic and Cloth of Stars, are also bona fide Arc candidates on October 7th.
QATAR PRIX FOY (GR2)
1st - WALDGEIST (M4)
(Galileo & Waldlerche)
O: Gestüt Ammerland & Newsells Park Stud
B: The Waldlerche Partnership
T: A. Fabre
J: P.-C. Boudot
2nd - TALISMANIC (M5)
(Medaglia d’Oro & Magic Mission)
O: Godolphin SNC
B: Darley Stud Management Co Ltd
T: A. Fabre
J: M. Barzalona
3rd - CLOTH OF STARS (M5)
(Sea the Stars & Strawberry Fledge)
O: Godolphin SNC
B: P Anastasiou
T: A. Fabre
J: M. Barzalona
Qatar Prix Vermeille: Kitesurf lands her Arc
The market didn’t lie in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Gr1) as the hot favourite Kitesurf (Dubawi) obliged. She also marked the occasion by enjoying her first Gr.1 success. In a strongly run race, the Godolphin filly struggled to go the pace and still had considerable ground to make up on Magic Wand (Galileo) at the entrance of the straight. Drawing upsides that rival with around 150m to go after showing an impressive turn of foot, Kitesurf then showed her battling qualities by taking the measure of Magic Wand in the dying strides. Zarkamiya (Frankel), whose dam is the unforgettable Zarkava, took third but without being able to land a blow at the principals. Kitesurf was coming off an impressive win in the Darley Prix de Pomone (Gr2) at Deauville. during the summer. The André Fabre runner has taken her game to a whole new level thisseason, having won the Prix de Royaumont (Gr3) as a three-year-old.
Lisa-Jane Graffard, Godolphin’s French representative said: « We underwent a real roller coaster ride in terms of emotions during the race. The win is well deserved for the whole team connected with the filly and I’m delighted. Mickaël Barzalona told us that she was very laid
back in the early stages. She is a typical daughter of Dubawi and his progeny have posted three consecutive wins in this race. I think it’s his race {laughing}. Kitesurf took time to get going. However, the jockey didn’t panic and it all ended well. We will take time out before
deciding the rest of her programme as she was being targeted at the Vermeille. She has a lot of options and all are possibilities. However, for the time being, we wish to enjoy this success! »
Kitesurf and Zarkamiya are the only Vermeille contestants to hold Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe entries. However, they have been trained with the Qatar Prix Vermeille very much in mind. The Arc is just an option.
QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE (GR1)
1st - KITESURF (F4)
(Dubawi & Shimmering Out)
O: Godolphin SNC
B: P. L. Winkworth
T: A. Fabre
J.: M. Barzalona
2nd - MAGIC WAND (F3)
(Galileo & Prudenzia)
O: Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Jooste
B: Ecurie des Monceaux
J: W. Lordan
3rd - ZARKAMIYA (F3)
(Frankel & Zarkava)
O/B: S.A l’Aga Khan
T : A. de Royer-Dupré
J. : C. Soumillon
Qatar Prix Niel : Brundtland surprises
The Qatar Prix Niel (Gr2) went to a colt who had to battle very hard but isn’t currently entered in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1). Brundtland (Dubawi) had won both his previous two career starts but was tackling group class for the first time on this occasion. However, he retained his unbeaten record after setting a moderate tempo and showing commendable tenacity to shake off the challenge of the well-travelled
Hunting Horn (Camelot). Neufbosc (Mastercraftsman), the first home of the French pretenders in third, would have appreciated a stiffer gallop.
James Doyle, the rider of Brundtland, said: « The colt still needs to grow up mentally. I’ve ridden Poet's Word and Sea of Class and, at this point in time, I think that the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be a bridge too far for him. »
Pia Brandt, on the other hand, confirmed that Neufbosc is being aimed at the Arc.
QATAR PRIX NIEL (Gr2)
1st- BRUNDTLAND (M3)
(Dubawi & Future Generation)
O: Godolphin
B: JF Hanly
T: C. Appleby
J: J. Doyle
2nd - HUNTING HORN (M3)
(Camelot & Mora Bai)
O: Mme Magnier/M. Tabor/D. Smith
B: Lynch-Bages Ltd
T: A. O’Brien
J: W. Lordan
3rd - NEUFBOSC (M3)
(Mastercraftsman & Nonsuch Way)
O: G. Augustin-Normand
B: Franklin Finance S.A.
T: P. Brandt
J: C. Demuro