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Hong Kong Derby Winner Could Be Set for Arc Bid

Five-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer John Moore could be set to target the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later this year at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France with his horse Ruthven, who finished fourth in the Hong Kong Derby, which was won by Ping Hai Star.

The first three home in the race last month are all geldings and are therefore excluded from entering the French contest which is run over 2400 metres. Consequently, Ruthven could be the only horse in the race to represent Hong Kong in October.


Credit: TBV via Twitter

 

No Asian-trained horse has been successful in the Arc, the contest which is widely regarded as the most prestigious middle-distance turf race anywhere in the world. The closest any runner from Asia has come was in 2012 when Orfevre finished second behind Solemia by just a neck.

Ruthven has had six races in Hong Kong now and he put himself in contention for the Derby when he prevailed at Sha Tin in Class 2 handicap where he scored by a head. The four-year-old, who was ridden by Damien Oliver, tracked the leaders in the early stages of the Derby, however, he did not find enough inside the final 200 metres to match Ping Hai Star who he finished just over two lengths behind.

Moore will be hoping his horse finds further improvement later in 2018 when a decision will be made about the Arc at the back end of the year.

Enable Tops Betting to Defend Title at Longchamp

2017 Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe winner Enable is the 5/2 favourite in the horse racing betting for the same race in October. The British filly had an incredible season last year as she was also victorious in four other Group One contests across the calendar.


Credit: Ascot Racecourse via Twitter

Enable first established herself as one of the leading turf fillies in the world when she won the Oaks at Epsom. The British Classic takes place over 2400 metres and attracts horses from all over Europe. Gosden’s runner hit the front with 400 metres to go and was not for catching as she stormed clear of her rivals to put five lengths between herself and the rest of the pack when crossing the line.

The daughter of Nathaniel proved that her performance at Epsom was no fluke as she followed it up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh where once again she finished ahead of the leading fillies in her division.

Enable stepped up against the older horses for the first time at Royal Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes where she arguably produced the best performance of her career to beat some of the best middle-distance colts and fillies, including Highland Reel, Ulysses and Jack Hobbs.

By the time the Arc came around last year, Enable had established herself as the red-hot favourite as she started the race as an odds-on shot at 10/11. If she repeats her success of 2017 this season, there is a strong chance the British-trained filly could be a short price to repeat her feat in France.