Stunning Treve Romps Away in Prix Vermeille
Description:
Al Shaqab Racing's two-time Arc winner Treve pulled away with stunning ease in the stretch, leaving her overmatched rivals behind in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (Fr-I) Sept. 13 at Longchamp.
The Motivator mare was fourth in last year's race, a prep for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), which she will try to win for an unprecedented third time Oct. 4 at Longchamp. On Sunday she put another Vermeille defeat out of the question, proving again to be in a class all her own as she cruised unchallenged to a 4 1/2-length triumph.
Under Thierry Jarnet's strong hold early, Treve came from midfield into contention on the turn and went wide to rally. When Jarnet gave her the cue a quarter-mile out, she was quick to oblige and secured the victory in the matter of a few powerful strides.
The time was 2:39.04 for the 1 1/2-mile race on very soft turf.
"I don't know what to say," trainer Criquette Head-Maarek told Racing Post. "She's a fantastic mare, she loves Longchamp. ...
"It is three weeks to the Arc and obviously she is in very good form, but we have seen a very good colt here already today and also in England as well. The Arc will be a different matter and it's not won yet."
Head Maarek was referring to Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-I, French Derby) winner New Bay, who, one race earlier on the card, won another Arc trial, the Prix Niel (Fr-II) at the same distance, coasting to an easy 2 1/2-length triumph in 2:35.10. Earlier this month at Kempton, Irish Derby (Ire-I) winner Jack Hobbs, was an easy winner of the September Stakes (Eng-III) Sept 5. Another major Arc contender could be Epsom Derby (Eng-I) winner Golden Horn, winner of the Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) the previous day at Leopardstown.
Candarliya won the battle for second in the Prix Vermeille, besting third-place finisher Sea Calisi by a half length. Arabian Queen, who handed Golden Horn his first-ever defeat in the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) last month at York, pressed pacesetter Dihna before weakening in the stretch and finishing sixth in the nine-horse field.
The day's third trial for the Arc, the Prix Foy (Fr-II), went to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-I) victor Postponed, who moved up to lead entering the straight and then saw off the challenge from Spiritjim to win by three-quarters of a length.
Postponed's time of 2:32.88 for the 1 1/2 miles was the fastest of the three trials.
Both New Bay, trained by Andre Fabre, and Postponed, trained by Luca Cumani, are sons of red-hot sire Dubawi.
The day's other group I event, the Prix Moulin de Longchamp, was captured by 2015 French One Thousand Guineas (Fr-I) winner Ervedya, who collared last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) victor Karakontie inside the final furlong then comfortably held off Akatea in a one-length win. The daughter of Siyouni, who covered a mile in 1:42.26, is owned by the Aga Khan.