Arc Heroine Enable to Face Crystal Ocean in Comeback
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Enable and Frankie Dettori with trainer John Gosden (right) after winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly
Enable will face a stern assignment on her return to the track at Kempton Sept. 8 after Sir Michael Stoute decided to run King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) runner-up Crystal Ocean against John Gosden’s superstar filly in the 188Bet September Stakes (G3).
David Probert will take the mount on Crystal Ocean for the first time as regular partner Ryan Moore is at Haydock.
Kempton’s group 3 has long been Enable’s comeback target and had been expected to provide a straightforward opportunity until Crystal Ocean, who went down by a neck to stablemate Poet's Word at Ascot in July, entered the fray. The race drew only a field of five.
Enable, winner of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) last autumn, had been expected to return this campaign in Epsom’s Coronation Cup (G1), but that plan was scuppered when she sustained a leg injury in the spring.
The 4-year-old is 5-1 second favorite behind this year's Darley Irish Oaks (G1) and Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) winner, Sea of Class, to make a successful defense of her crown at Longchamp next month. Crystal Ocean is available at 8-1.
With a record of seven wins and a third from eight starts, Enable has earnings of $5,162,297. The daughter of Nathaniel won the 2017 editions of both the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks.