His Highness The Aga Khan's homebred Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) is progressing well toward a start in the G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 19, according to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard.
The gelding, a winner of the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and a strong second in the G1 International Stakes behind City Of Troy (Justify) at York, is fresh and well ahead of his QIPCO British Champions Day assignment. He will likely face William Haggas trainee Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) the winner of the G1 Irish Champion Stakes in mid-September.
Graffard said, “Everything is well with Calandagan and he looks in very good shape. He has had a bit of time since York and, provided all goes well between now and Champions Day, he will be spot on for the Champion Stakes.
“The main difference between York and Champions Day will likely be the ground, but he has form on soft ground earlier in the year.
“We have already met City Of Troy and now we take on another very strong opponent in Economics. It will be interesting to see how it pans out, and ground conditions could be a factor, but we know that Calandagan is a very good horse and look forward to the race.”
Trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin also had an update on 2022 G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), who is eyeing a start in the Champion Stakes. Seen in action only three times this year, the 7-year-old gelding enters on the back of a narrow win in the G2 Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp on Sept. 15.
“We could have stayed in France for the Prix du Conseil de Paris or the Prix Royal-Oak, but the Royal-Oak has moved to Saint-Cloud, a track where Iresine performs worse than at Longchamp,' said Gauvin. “The horse deserves to run in Group 1 races and we all collectively really want to experience this English adventure with the different co-owners, including my children. Personally, I have never had a runner in England. The distance may be short for him, but he has already won a group race, the La Coupe, over 2,000m.With Iresine, the key is the ground. We hope it will be as soft as possible.
“The horse is better than ever after the Prix Foy. His last outing did him a lot of good, and I think he is in top form now. I am a bit concerned about the journey, although it will be simpler than when he went to Japan.”
Milers Take Aim At Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
The one-mile G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO is the target of a French trio, with Classic winner Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) entered alongside last year's first and second Big Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}). The G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero was last seen finishing runner-up to Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois.
Trainer Mario Baratti said, “Metropolitan has improved again since the Jacques le Marois. He is getting stronger all the time and I have been very happy with his preparation for Champions Day.
“The plan is to go for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. We would like to try him over further at some stage, which is why he has an entry in the Champion Stakes, but I think it makes sense to stick to a mile for this race.
“I believe we can get closer to Charyn this time. Charyn was very impressive at Deauville but, in my opinion, he is better on good ground, whereas I think our horse is better on soft ground. Ascot is usually on the soft side in October and that will help our chance.”
Jerome Reynier said of Facteur Cheval who ran third in the G1 Sussex Stakes in July, “Facteur Cheval is in good shape. We have been thinking about the Breeders' Cup, but I think it makes sense to follow the same plan as last year and go back to Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
“Given how he looks and the way he is training, I think we have him in better shape now than before the Sussex Stakes. His latest gallop on Saturday was very good, and I am really pleased with where we are.”
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