READY FOR LOVE
LOVE has recovered from the setback that ruled her out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – and will lead Aidan O’Brien’s raiding party at the Breeders’ Cup.
Last season’s 1,000 Guineas and Oaks heroine – successful in Royal Ascot’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on her return in June this year – missed Longchamp after developing a temperature on the eve of the race.
But O’Brien reports the five-time Group One winner back in rude health and ready to travel to Del Mar, where she will contest either the Turf or the Filly & Mare Turf on Saturday week.
“We have a few horses for the Turf – Japan, Mogul, Broome and Bolshoi Ballet could go – but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t go there with them,” said O’Brien, who will send Japan and Broome on from California to the Japan Cup in Tokyo on November 28.
“We were going to France and she had a temperature, and then we were going to Ascot [for the QIPCO Champion Stakes] and her blood showed she’d had the temperature, so I said we’d wait.
“It’s never a help and she missed a few days, but the way they’re able to handle them now is a lot better than years ago – usually it will only last for a day or two now, whereas it would last for a week to 10 days,” added the master of Ballydoyle, who will aim reigning champion Order Of Australia – along with 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth – at the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Dermot Weld has confirmed Tarnawa on course for her Turf title defence after a brave Arc second to Torquator Tasso.
“After a week when she was tired, she has bounced right back,” said Weld. “The track is my biggest concern – it’s where the surf meets the turf and it’s very firm.”