DETTORI’S ARC BOOST
Victorious Enable set fair for Chantilly
Frankie Dettori i joked that he was facing some nervous ‘ sleepless nights’ ahead of thee Prix de L’arc de Triomphe e after enable cemented herr position as red-hot favourite- with another ruthlessly y efficient win in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
The John Gosden-trained filly is odds-on with some bookmakers for europe’s most prestigious all- age middle- distance contest after her five-length win on the knavesmire. She gets that backing regardless of the chance she could lock horns with Wednesday’s Juddmonte international Stakes winner Ulysses at Chantilly on October 1.
The majority of other bookmakers make enable no more than even money to give Dettori his fifth arc and trainer John Gosden his second.
enable is already out on her own in one way.
While her achievement in winning the english, irish and Yorkshire Oaks places her in an exclusive club of fillies including alexandrova (2006), ramruma (1999) and User Friendly (1992), enable is unique in also collecting the king George as well in her Classic-winning season.
enable had to make all the running yesterday. But any tactical disadvantage evaporated in what became a glorified lap of honour.
it was a fourth group race on the trot won by around five lengths and those chasing her home were not donkeys.
Stablemate and runner- up Coronet won the ribblesdale Stakes at royal ascot, thirdplaced l d Queen’s Trust won last season’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf while fourth nezwaah came to York on the back of success in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
Dettori said: ‘ although she won by five lengths, i still feel if something had just sniffed her backside she would have got more competitive. if you try to keep with her, she will break your lungs.
‘it’s the arc next. it will be sleepless nights but she is entitled to be favourite and we know after today she could make the running. That’s another weapon in her armoury.’
Three years ago Gosden had brought Taghrooda, another king George winner, to the Yorkshire Oaks and seen her beaten. He conceded a little nervousness as 1-4 favourite enable lined up.
Gosden added: ‘ We had an awful lot to lose but i felt if she broke well we should let her use her stride rather than pull her around. in the last two furlongs she was just playing ball. She is the best mile-and-a-half filly i have ever trained.’ JUMP JOCkeY Davy russell will learn tomorrow if he faces punishment by the irish Turf Club for punching his horse kings Dolly on the back of the head at Tramore last Friday.