TWO-time Prix de I’arc de Triomphe champion Treve is gunning for an unprecedented third title after winning impressively last Sunday.
The five-year-old scored a 1.25-length victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and in second place was the highly-touted Flintshire which stands as a $17 chance in the Arc.
Treve is right on target to win its third Arc de Triomphe on October 4 and the Head-Maarek-trained runner has been installed as the $3.50 favourite with WilliamHill.com.au.
Winning in 2013 and 2014, most expected Treve to be retired for stud duties, but connections decided to bring it back for another campaign and it appears to be paying off.
No horse has ever won three Arc’s and the crowd at Longchamp racecourse could be on hand to witness history.
Criquette Head-Maarek believes the biggest danger to her horse’s chances is Derby winner Golden Horn, while Prix de Diane winner Star Of Seville is another big danger.
“I want to see the three-year-olds again, but I think the horse who won the Derby is very good,” said Head-Maarek.
“John [Gosden, trainer of Golden Horn] has won everything. It is fantastic to win two Derby’s with two different horses from the same yard, it is a big achievement.
“The filly won well here at Chantilly, nobody had any excuses.”
Jack Hobbs is another danger for Treve after winning the Irish Derby. Bookmakers have it on the third line of betting at $9 behind stablemate Golden Horn ($6) and Treve.
It was the $1.70 favourite to win the Irish Derby after finishing second in the Epsom Derby behind Golden Horn and its five-length victory had Gosden humming.
“He travelled really well and William [Buick] just waited after he came at the head of the straight and I loved the way he finished off his race,” Gosden said.
2015 Arc de Triomphe market
Treve – $3.50 with William Hill
Golden Horn – $6
Jack Hobbs – $9
New Bay – $9
Snow Sky – $11
Free Eagle – $13
Dolniya – $17
Flintshire – $17
One And Only – $17
Telescope – $17
Kizuna – $21
Al Kazeem – $26
Karpino – $26
Kingston Hill – $26
Time Test – $26
Love Is Boo Shet – $34
Physiocrate – $41
Little Nightingale – $51
Queen’s Jewel – $51
Royal Ascot winner Time Test is at good value with bookmakers. It is currently quoted at $26 with WilliamHill.com.au after winning impressively in the Group 3 Tercentenary Stakes.
Love Is Boo Chet is a Japanese runner with a very interesting name – don’t say it too quickly. The six-year-old will have to improve on recent form, however, after finishing 14th, 15th and 12th in its last three starts.