Treve New Arc Fav – Weekend Racing Review

While there was much to enjoy in Britain on Saturday, the weekend’s headlines surrounded next month’s Arc de Triomphe…

…where Sea The Moon, who was amongst the main fancies prior to the weekend, suffered his first career defeat.

For those who may have missed it, this 3yo colt was heavily backed for the Arc following a mightily impressive 11l victory in the German Derby in July, and was expected to win at the weekend on his first run since. However, despite being backed into odds of 1/2, he couldn’t hold off the late challenge of Ivanhoe, who had previously won a couple of Group 2’s.

Connections of Sea The Moon stated that their colt may have needed this outing following a two-month absence, but that didn’t stop Ivanhoe, who hasn’t been seen for 98 days.

Time will tell as to what this form amounts to,

but what Sunday’s result has triggered is a further support for last year’s Arc Winner, Treve, who is now the 9/2 favourite.

However, with the history books revealing that the last back-to-back Arc winner came virtue of Alleged in 1977-1978, coupled with Sea The Moon’s defeat, the overall view is that there could still be value to be got in the ante-post lists.

Treve’s trainer, Criquette Head-Maarek, will of course be hoping Treve rewrites the history books, but she will also be licking her lips at the prospect of winning the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day via her colt, Full Mast. This twice-raced colt showed good qualities in landing a Group 3 over 7f at Longchamp on Sunday, and is a name to jot down for next month at Longchamp.

Meanwhile in Britain, G Force landed the big Group 1 sprint at Haydock and now heads for Ascot’s Champions Day before a date in Hong Kong. While G Force deserved the win on Saturday, it was clear to see that the heavily backed favourite, Sole Power – despite a creditable fourth – needs 5f on faster ground to be at his best. Compensation may await for his followers.

Elsewhere at Haydock was the Group 3 Superior Mile, where a glance back at the recent history of the race showed that each winner since 2009 won during his or her next three runs. Amongst them were the respective 2010 and 2009 Superior Mile winners, Cityscape and Confront, who both followed-up in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket the following month. It is therefore interesting to note that Saturday’s winner, Captain Cat, will also now head for that race – as revealed by his owner following trhe race.

As for those that ran well in defeat at the weekend, then it could be worth noting Sir Michael Stoute’s, Gothic, who caught the eye when fifth (of 18) in the valuable 1m4f handicap at Ascot. Having won over 1m2f on soft ground last month, this 3yo colt was stepped up in trip, but was unable to show his true colours owing to a slow start. However, the manner in which he powered home suggests there should be a big prize in him this autumn, especially as he loves soft ground (won maiden on it).