Last-out G1 Prix Ganay winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is on course for the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron at Deauville on Aug. 15 after pleasing connections in a route piece of work on Thursday.
“He did a simple work, as we are accustomed to do,” said trainer Jean-Claude Rouget of Peter Brant's 4-year-old. “The goal is not to have a hard work; once they have made their seasonal bow, we do maintenance work. They worked over 1,800 metres-all went well. The horse has a good action and he behaves as he does when he is in good form.
“After the Ganay, we left him alone for three weeks. His work picked up for a comeback in mid-August. We didn't know if he would go to York [for the Juddmonte International] or to Deauville. Apparently, we are going to Deauville. He still had a fairly long break and the York race would be difficult for a semi-return to racing.
The long-term aim for last year's G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner is the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 4.
“Sottsass will then have several options before running in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe–either the Prix Foy or, if we stay over 2000 metres, the Irish Champion S.,” Rouget said. “The latter test would be more rewarding for his future stallion career. I am not the only deciding voice. There are also his connections–Peter Brant and Coolmore. We will discuss after the Gontaut-Biron.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
