LONDON: John Gosden said Enable could take on the challenge of trying to become the first horse to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe three times after watching the Saudi Arabian-owned filly made it back-to-back victories in the famous race.
The favorite, trained by Gosden and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, was run close by Sea Of Class at Longchamp, but hung on to become only the eighth horse in history to win the Arc twice.
Sea Of Class was some way off the leaders in the home turn but picked up pace to push Enable to the line, but Frankie Dettori’s mount won by a neck in a thrilling finish.
No sooner had she made history than her trainer suggested the plan was to go for an unprecedented hat-trick.
“It’s great for Prince Khalid. He wanted to come here and if she’s in good form there’s no reason you wouldn’t try to come again
“It’s not been the preparation we wanted, it’s been very difficult. I actually had a hiccup between Kempton and here with a slight temperature, so it has not been easy.
“She wasn’t at her best today. I’ve had a difficult year with her and started with a bit more hair than I have now. It’s entirely down to the filly and her guts.
“The ground is a little slick — I’d liked to have seen more rain — but she’s got the job done and it’s very much down to her mind and ability. She’s a wonderful filly and it’s an enormous sense of relief.”
Saudi Arabian-owned Enable eyes hat-trick after second Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory
Saudi Arabian-owned Enable eyes hat-trick after second Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victory
- Frankie Dettori rides filly to back-to-back victories in the famous race at Longchamp.
- Trainer John Gosden suggests aim is now to become the first horse to win race three times.
Australia injury woes continue with skipper Marsh ruled out of World Cup opener
- Former captain Steve Smith will join squad in Sri Lanka as cover while Travis Head captains team
- Marsh sustained direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week, Cricket Australia says
Australia captain Mitchell Marsh will miss the opening game of their Twenty20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday with a groin injury, Cricket Australia (CA) said.
Steve Smith will now join the squad in Sri Lanka as cover, with fellow batsman Travis Head captaining the side at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium and Matthew Renshaw coming into the team.
Marsh sustained a direct blow to the groin during training earlier this week and is experiencing pain and discomfort which is restricting his movement, the board added.
“Scans have confirmed internal testicular bleeding, and he will require a period of rest and rehabilitation. His return to play will be guided by symptom resolution and medical advice,” CA said in a statement.
Head said at the toss later that Marsh was unlucky to miss out and appeared to play down the seriousness of the injury. He did not give a timeline for his teammate’s return.
“Unfortunately Mitchie Marsh has copped a blow at training a couple of days ago and no one has been willing to massage it out for him,” Head joked after winning the toss and opting to bat.
“He’s the unfortunate one but the rest (of the side) is the same. It’s nice to have a couple of boys back from the Pakistan series. Strong team and we’re looking forward to going well.”
Australia are also without fast bowler Pat Cummins, who was ruled out of the event after failing to recover from a niggling back injury. Fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood lost a race to be fit after Achilles and hamstring injuries.
Mitchell Starc has quit the format, leaving them without their top quick bowlers.
The big-hitting Tim David was also ruled out of the first game as he returns from a hamstring strain.
The 2021 champions take on Zimbabwe in their second match on Friday.
