Trainer John Gosden says Enable will not have it all her own way when she runs at ParisLongchamp in October. Enable made it 12 wins in a row on Thursday when she won the Darley Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival at York.
The race on the Knavesmire was her last career start in Britain and she soon cemented her place in the race. Jockey Frankie Dettori guided her to the front of the four-runner field before then asking for more in the final few furlongs.
Enable, the heavy favourite, delivered the goods and she will now race in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Connections are hoping she can win the race for the third year in a row, but Gosden admits the likes of Japan and Sottsass pose serious threats.
He told reporters: “This was a nice stepping stone to the Arc, but I’m very aware of the three-year-old colts. We saw a nice one win here (on Wednesday) in Japan, and Jean-Claude (Rouget) has a nice horse (Sottsass) who won the Prix du Jockey Club – I thought he looked exceptional.
“She’s got tough competition from the three-year-old boys, and there’s always going to be a sneaky three-year-old filly in there, that’s for sure.
“If she runs back to what she did in the Arc as a three-year-old, which she looks like she is showing today, she might be tough to beat, but I do emphasise watch out for the three-year-olds.”
Enable remains the 2.00 favourite to win and Japan is her closest rival at odds of 6.00. Crystal Ocean is 8.00 to win, while Sottsass is 9.00 to land a surprise victory.
