STAR COLT UNLIKELY FOR ARC BID
CRACKSMAN made short work of his four rivals as he recorded an impressive success in the Qatar Prix Niel at Chantilly yesterday.
Having slammed the Voltigeur field at York last time out, the John Gosden-trained colt put in another smart display to take his second successive Group Two victory.
The son of Frankel was quickly settled into second by Frankie Dettori behind early leader Finche as the five runners raced in single file.
Although coming off the bridle early in the home straight, the Anthony Oppenheimer-owned colt found plenty when asked, sweeping to the front of the mile-and-a-half prize around two furlongs from home.
As Finche wilted, it was left to his stablemate Avilius to challenge, but Dettori just needed hands and heels late on to push his mount out to score with plenty in hand.
Betfair clipped Cracksman to 7-1 from 8s for next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe following his success, but owner Anthony Oppenheimer indicated it is unlikely the colt will contest that event.
He told Equidia Live: “It is unlikely that Cracksman participates in the 2017 Arc.
On the other hand, he could run it in as a four-year-old.”
Oppenheimer does not anticipate any definite decision on future plans in the coming days and will discuss the possible options with Gosden, who is currently in America.
He said: “It was a great display. John is in America at the moment and I think we will discuss plans with him.
“I don’t think we will make a decision for the next 10 days.
!I just don’t want the horse to have a hard race.
“We will have to see, plus Frankie is on Enable (in the Arc) at the moment.”