5 October 2018
Good or good to soft ground on the menu at ParisLongchamp on Saturday
ParisLongchamp is bracing itself for the opening day of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
(Gr1) weekend on Saturday. The course was the subject of a morning inspection (just after 10.30 am) after which the penetrometer scale returned a reading of 3.4: which in layman’s terms equates to good to soft ground. The temperature on Saturday is forecast to reach 23°c and there will also be a south-westerly wind. An overcast day, with a few showers, is to be expected. The ground at the track, taking into account that it could be watered, is expected to be somewhere between good and good to soft. The far rail will be moved 16 metres further in-field from its usual spot for the Saturday meeting.
Getting up close, and personal with the Andrea Marcialis-Way to Paris team
The Italian trainer Andrea Marcialis has been based in France for two years and, on Sunday, the 34-year-old handler will saddle his first Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) runner when Way To Paris (Champs Elysées) will grace the big stage. He confesses to a little impatience in advance of the big day! He said: « He’s a horse which we have allowed to mature with age. We have been patient with him and, consequently, the rewards have come our way as he is much better horse than last season. To date, he is the most complex horse which I’ve ever had to train. You really have to respect his wishes in the morning as he has his own way of doing things. If you are firm with him, or ask him too much, he becomes difficult to train the following day. He’s a horse which exudes strength but he can also get very stirred up. We clearly work on the mental aspect of his training. He’s the type we tend to bring a long with his racing. After a two months absence he ran badly at Deauville – a situation exacerbated by the heat which he hates. Last time out, he pulled a little before running fourth in the Qatar Prix Foy (Gr2) behind three Gr1 winners Waldgeist (Galileo), Talismanic (Medaglia d'Oro) and Cloth of Stars (Sea the Stars). It’s obviously difficult to live with Waldgeist when he delivers his turn of foot over 2.400m – and even more so for
Way to Paris whose ideal trip is 2.800m. He has the necessary ability to hold his own with these {Arc} horses but you need to work hand in glove with his temperament. My wish is for rain to materialise for the big occasion and, if this is case, a lot of horses will steer a wide course and my horse will have his cards to play! »
Andrea Marcialis will also be represented by Lagrandecatherine (Pedro the Great) in the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1). She’s a real rags to riches tale, having been acquired for 35.500 € in a claimer. The filly is also due to go through the ring at the prestigious Arc Arqana Sale on Saturday evening when she is expected to fetch in excess of 100.000 €!