Gosden Plans Familiar Longchamp Routine for Enable
Image:
Description:
Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Enable stretches clear of workmate Crossed Baton in her final work before the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Enable completed her preparation Oct. 4 for her third trip to Paris just as she did for the previous two with one canter on Warren Hill, and that is not the only routine she stuck to this weekend.
Just as he did in 2017 and 2018, trainer John Gosden shipped out his stable star by road early Saturday morning when she traveled to Chantilly, not ParisLongchamp, to stay overnight before being transferred to the venue of the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) race day Sunday.
After watching his potential history maker breeze past under lad Imran Shahwani, Gosden showed no signs of having hosted 40 members of the Japanese media the previous day.
"The first Arc Enable won was run at Chantilly, and we've stuck to the routine of sending her there ever since," Gosden said. "The reason for that is it can get pretty noisy on the Saturday afternoon when the racing is on at Longchamp, and the risk is Enable may well think she should be out there with them. By contrast, it's nice and peaceful at Chantilly, so we'll be heading back there."
Connections will not rush into making any plans beyond Sunday for the Juddmonte Farms homebred who holds entries on Champions Day at Ascot and at Breeders' Cup, where last year she won the Longines Turf (G1T).
"Any decisions regarding Enable's future plans after the Arc will be taken by one man only, Prince Khalid, probably some time next week," Gosden said. "We'll get Sunday out of the way first."
Around Newmarket, increased interest in Enable has been noticeable as the history-making bid has come closer, and many more visitors and locals have ventured onto the Heath to see her and take pictures.
Nick Patton—managing director of Jockey Club Estates, which manages Newmarket Heath—said: "I've been here 10 years and have seen all the recent greats, and Enable would be right up there. It's an absolute privilege to see her train on a morning, and we've had increased interest around her in recent weeks. It would be extraordinary for everyone in the town if she could pull it off."
Gosden's counterparts in the training ranks are also hoping for the hat trick Sunday.
Chris Wall said: "You only have to see how many turned out to see her canter at the open day to see how popular Enable is here and elsewhere. After she went past, everyone dispersed into the town, and it's been noticeable how many people have been around taking pictures, even during the week. It would be great for Newmarket and the sport as a whole if she could do it."
Ed Dunlop, whose Ouija Board finished third in the Arc in 2004, said: "It would be unbelievable if she could do it on Sunday and, hopefully, take the sport from the back pages on to the front. It would be a first for Newmarket and a first for anywhere, for that matter."