Weld Looks for First BC Win With Tarnawa in Turf

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Weld Looks for First BC Win With Tarnawa in Turf
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Photo: Hugh Routledge/Hong Kong Jockey Club
Trainer Dermot Weld

Dermot Weld believes Tarnawa is "unquestionably" the best chance he has yet had to break his duck at the Breeders' Cup World Championships where the 4-year-old Shamardal filly will likely contest the Nov. 7 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). The trainer is 0-0-1 with 16 previous Breeders' Cup starters.

Owned and bred by the Aga Khan, whose colors have been carried to success in the Turf by Lashkari and Kalanisi, Tarnawa has excelled this autumn with two group 1 wins in France vs. females.

"We purposely planned an autumn campaign for her," Weld said. "We've kept her on the same training schedule (since her last run) and she's a very straightforward filly to deal with. She did a nice bit of sharp work last week, and I was very happy with the way she went."

Tarnawa was pre-entered to the 1 3/16-mile Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland as well as the 1 1/2-mile Breeders' Cup Turf, but the latter, for which she is a general 3-1 joint-second favorite with Mogul behind 5-2 Magical among British bookmakers, is the most likely option for the filly.

"I think it's pretty certain she'll go for the Breeders' Cup Turf," Weld said. "It's a tight, turning track with a short straight and the draw is very important in the Filly & Mare Turf, so if you're unlucky enough to get a bad draw it doesn't help your chances. You've got a better chance of overcoming that in the Breeders' Cup Turf.

"Christophe Soumillon will definitely ride her again. I thought he gave her two perfect rides to win her group 1s, and you don't break a winning combination."

The combination of Tarnawa's improved form this autumn, during which she has captured the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) and the Prix de l'Opera Longines (G1) on Arc weekend, and tactical speed has given Weld optimism that he will end his wait for a Breeders' Cup winner.

The pioneering trainer has twice landed the Melbourne Cup (G1) and recorded major successes across the globe, including being the only European handler to capture a leg of the U.S. Triple Crown with Go And Go in the 1990 Belmont Stakes (G1), but has yet to score at the Breeders' Cup.

Asked at a Breeders' Cup preview event whether Tarnawa was his best chance of a winner at the fixture, Weld said: "Unquestionably. I've had very few horses with a serious chance of winning at the Breeders' Cup. 

"She's equally effective over ten10 furlongs and a mile and a half. She's a very sound, tough, and genuine filly and she's a stayer with speed."

He added: "Great credit must be given to the Breeders' Cup for the organization, for their help and for their ability to put on the fixture."