Search

show me:

Enable team satisfied following Newmarket spin

3 minute read

Dual Arc winner warmed up for Paris trip with Headquarters gallop

Enable
Enable  Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Enable  pleased connections as she worked over a mile at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

The five-year-old is set to bid for an unprecedented third victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp on October 6, and trainer John Gosden opted for a workout on the Rowley Mile as part of her preparations.

Regular partner Frankie Dettori was on board as Enable galloped alongside Crossed Baton, with the mare just nosing slightly in front at the end of the spin.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, was also on hand to watch the gallop – and he was satisfied with the efforts of the 10-time Group One winner.

He said: "It was a good, solid piece of work and just what everyone seemed to want to see. Frankie Dettori was happy with her.

"She was led by Crossed Baton and she pulled up easy with him.

"Her preparations have been straightforward – we've had no issues, and she's been in good form."

Enable has only been beaten once in 14 career starts and she heads to France having won her last 12 outings, triumphing in the Yorkshire Oaks on her most recent run at York last month.

The Nathaniel mare has also won the Eclipse and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes this season, claiming the latter event in an epic finish with the now-retired Crystal Ocean at Ascot.

Gosden was delighted to see the gallop go as planned, with Enable having her first racecourse workout because the trainer wanted ideal ground.

He said: "It was good ground, because they had six or seven millimetres (of rain) yesterday, so it was lovely ground. It was just what we wanted. We went back to the mile and worked down the far side track, the one we are racing on.

"I was very pleased with her work, and we built it up nicely. I wanted her to stay with her lead horse. We were not here to see if we could go eight lengths clear or anything like that.

"She has had a good, healthy blow – and it went to plan, which doesn't always happen in work mornings.

"I walked the Limekilns yesterday morning. But they have been dry for seven or eight weeks, and it was perfect to come here because they have watered this. It was fast ground (last) Saturday, and we got seven millimetres on top – so it was perfect, good ground.

"She enjoys herself. Frankie said she pulled him all the way down to the rubbing house, so he was feeling a bit weak by the time he got back, but she seems very happy now cooling down.

"We will just be taking it day by day and making no grand plans.

"This time last year we were leading out for a week, which is a big difference from a racecourse gallop – I don't think you can have two more extremes.

"It is the first time she has done a racecourse gallop – if they had the normal rain fall, she would have been on the grass gallops.

"We are very lucky for Newmarket allowing us to come down here, and it was beautiful ground out there. She is a Newmarket-trained filly, and it was good to see so many welcome her."

While Enable is firmly on course for ParisLongchamp, Gosden dismissed any idea of stablemate Star Catcher lining up against her in the Arc.

The three-year-old won the Irish Oaks in July and then returned to action with victory in the Prix Vermeille earlier this month, but Gosden and owner Anthony Oppenheimer have yet to pick a target.

Gosden added: "She is in various races, including at Ascot on Champions Day. As she is in various races, no decision has been made yet. She won't be running in the Arc, though."


At The Races

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au