The G1 Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday, August 21 could be the next port of call for Zarakem (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) following his excellent effort in defeat at Royal Ascot.
Trained by Jerome Reynier, Zarakem was sent off at 33/1 for the G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, but he proved in no uncertain terms that he belongs at the top table by faring best of the rest behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), running on well from the rear of the field to be beaten just three quarters of a length at the line.
Reynier is now working back from the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with the progressive Zarakem, who could first return to Britain for one of the highlights of York's Ebor Festival.
“He seems to be improving mentally and physically, so maybe the best is yet to come and we can aim for the Arc at the end of the year with him,” Reynier said of the four-year-old. “He won a Group 2 in Longchamp, so he handles the track and he doesn't mind the ground and he promises to be a horse who could have a decent chance in the Arc.
“Maybe we will go to York for the Juddmonte International. That would be an interesting race and it is right between the Prince of Wales's and the Arc, so it could be a good race to run in. I think he will only have one more run [before the Arc], just with all the travel and everything, and he's a horse who likes his races spaced out quite a bit, so it would be better to arrive in the Arc without too many runs under his belt.
“We want him to be fresh for the end of the year because after the Arc he could go for the Japan Cup or the Hong Kong Vase.”
Reflecting further on Zarakem's performance at Ascot, Reynier added, “It was just unreal. Maxime [Guyon, jockey] rode the perfect race from the inside. I think Auguste Rodin was very hard to beat that day, but we were a clear second and he has run the best race of his life.
“He has now shown that he's able to win a Group 2 on heavy ground and finish second to a top-class horse in a Prince of Wales's on fast ground, so he's very versatile and a pure athlete.”
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