Enable’s date with destiny

RETURN TO PARIS: STAR MARE IS AT HER PEAK

Current campaign has been faultless, says Gosden.

Enable will face a maximum of 15 rivals on Sunday when she goes in search of an historic third successive victory in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp.

John Gosden’s brilliant mare became the eighth dual winner of Europe’s premier middle-distance contest last season and was kept in training as a five-year-old with the chief aim of becoming the first horse to win the race three times.

While she endured a troubled preparation last term, the current campaign has been faultless as she has stretched her top-level tally to 10 with hat-trick of Group 1 wins in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the King George at Ascot and the Yorkshire Oaks at York.

Gosden believes his star mare is at her peak ahead of her return to Paris.

“She’s got a great stride on her and a great head and a wonderful outlook. She’s always got her ears pricked and she’s very enthusiastic about everything,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing.

“When she was younger she would run with unhindered exuberance and was often winning her races well. Now she’s got a little older and wiser, she’s rather like a boxer who knows how to win on points – rather than going straight in for the immediate knockout.

“I think that’s maturity that comes. She’s filled her frame and there’s no doubt in my mind that a Flat thoroughbred horse is probably at their absolute peak at five. She’s fully grown now and fully developed.

“We’ll see how we go – there’s some mighty opposition coming at us, there’s no doubt about that.”

Gosden has one other remaining contender in the talented three-year-old filly Mehdaayih, while the only other Britishtrained horse to stand their ground is Charlie Appleby’s Ghaiyyath – so impressive on his latest appearance in Germany.

Aidan O’Brien has whittled his potential team down to three. The Ballydoyle handler is set to saddle Juddmonte International winner Japan, who could be joined by Irish Champion Stakes heroine Magical and the Investec Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck.

Andre Fabre has Waldgeist and Musis Amica in contention as he bids to add to his record tally of seven Arc wins.

The leading hope for the home contingent is Jean-Claude Rouget’s French Derby winner Sottsass.

There is a supplementary stage for the Arc today, with the final field and draw to be confirmed tomorrow.

The action from ParisLongchamp will be broadcast on Tellytrack on Sunday 6 October 2019 with the first race off at 14:15 and the eighth and final race off at 18:40.

Punters will be able to take the following bets with TAB:

Saturday: All races: Commingled Win, Place, Exacta OR Swinger and Quinella (First, Second any order).

Sunday: All races: Commingled Win, Place, Exacta OR Swinger and Quinella (First, Second any order).

SA pools Trifecta, Quartet, and Place Accumulator (Races 2-8), Jackpot (Races 5-8), Pick 3 (Races 6-8), Daily Double (Races 7-8). – Racingtv.com

To take a bet

Go to www.tabonline.co.za or www.bettingworld.co.za