Arabian Queen, conqueror of Golden Horn at York this month, may attempt to lower the colours of the mighty Treve in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on Sunday fortnight.
David Elsworth, trainer of Arabian Queen, is considering stepping the 50-1 winner of the Juddmonte International Stakes up in trip for the mile-and-a-half group one contest in Paris, in preference to a tilt at the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes.
Treve remains on course to take in the Vermeille, which she won in 2013, as she prepares to attempt for an unprecedented third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“Plans are fluid at the moment,” Elsworth said. “She could be supplemented for the Irish Champion Stakes, but we will make that decision nearer the time. The decision will be made on what the ground is.
“A lot of the fancied runners for Ireland prefer faster ground, where we prefer a bit of give.
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“We entered her in the Vermeille two days ago. I have not seen the entries in that, but I imagine Treve will turn up. She is a hell of a filly, but we might chuck her in the ring with her. One of these two options will be her next race.”
Elsworth added of the Jeff Smith-owned filly: “The plan will then be to go for the Fillies’ And Mares’ race at Ascot on Champions Day, then we will put her away until next year.
“She is out of Barshiba and there is plenty of stamina on her side of the family. Like all good stayers, she has got bags of speed and we are relishing a crack at that trip [mile and a half].”
Reflecting back on the three-year-old’s battling triumph on the Knavesmire, when she was too strong for the then-unbeaten Derby and Eclipse winner Golden Horn, the Egerton House Stables handler revealed he was optimistic of a bold performance in the build-up to the race.
“We had a good feeling about her going into York and that is why we thought she would give a good showing,” he said. “But at any level there is a certain amount of guess work involved, especially when you are taking on an unbeaten colt. You can have fighting ability and finish last, but she has talent.”
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