Croix du Nord and connections after victory in the Gr 3 Prix Du Orange (Picture: Racing Post/Burton)
Dave Mollett
Longchamp racecourse in Paris staged their first meeting on April 27 1857 and it was such a big occasion that the Guest-of-Honour was Emperor Napoleon 111.
Whether current French president, Emmanuel Macron, will be making the journey to Route Des Tribunes in Bois De Boulogne, where the Longchamp racecourse is located, on Sunday (Oct 5) is unknown, but what we do know is that Japan have a real chance of winning their first Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
The closest Japan has come to winning Europe’s most prestigious race was with Orfevre in 2012 and they hope to go one place better with either Croix Du Nord or Byzantine Dream.
Japanese jockey, Yuichi Kitamura, describes Croix Du Nord as “the strongest horse in the world” and his mount tuned up for the big day with a victory in the Gr 3 Prix Du Orange.
“He was in good condition for this race but not 100% so having a race under his belt should bring him on a lot,” commented trainer, Takashi Saito.
Croix Du Nord only got home by a short-head from Daryx, who went to York unbeaten only to shock most racegoers – including myself – by finishing last of six in the Juddmonte International. This latest effort put the three year-old back in the Arc picture.
The booking of Oisin Murphy for Byzantine Dream is a huge plus for the other Japanese hope and his price was trimmed to 8-1 after a fluent win in the Prix Foy. A winner of a rich race in Saudi Arabia earlier in the year, the worry is that this horse needs fast ground and the going is often soft in the Arc.
At this stage, I wouldn’t want to back anything else other than the 9-2 second favourite, Aventure.
Maxime Guyon, who knows every blade of grass at Longchamp, partnered the latter filly to victory in the Prix Vermeille which delighted her trainer, Christophe Ferland.
“Now we can head for the Arc calmly. That will be a big day for me, for the stable, the filly and the Wertheimer Bros,” said Ferland.
Alohi Alii is another Japan representative but doesn’t have the same claims as Croix Du Nord and Byzantine Dream. Even so, one factor in his favour is that he handles soft ground.
Aidan O’Brien is on course to better his 2017 record of 28 Gr 1 wins and I rated Minnie Hauk’s win in last month’s Yorkshire Oaks as a performance right out of the top drawer.
While the filly is now favourite to continue on her winning streak in Paris, it was worrying for her supporters that – after her York win – O’Brien voiced his concern about Minnie Hauk’s ability to handle ease in the ground.
Last year’s Arc crowd – affected by bad weather – was only 22 300 but that figure looks sure to be bettered on October 5 with France Galop announcing that advance ticket sales are 18% up on the same point in the last five years.
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Gauteng’s biggest racing event – the Betway Summer Cup – is only two months away and 4Racing will already be having meetings to ensure the meeting is a resounding success.
In this regard, officials could heed the recent announcement from Cheltenham that they will have an extra food court – as well as reducing drink prices – for their big meeting in March.
“Those attending major events expect a premium experience,” commented Cheltenham CEO, Gary Lavender.
When I was presenting at Turffontein (many moons ago!), racegoers would often comment to me that “we loved the racing, but it was a real battle to get any food.”
Perhaps the likes of Kentucky, Debonairs and Steers could be approached to have outlets at the track on November 29 to help what is a great day out for both racing fans and families.
Food for thought!
