Tregoning waits on Percy plans
The Mark Of Esteem colt has not run since winning the Vodafone Derby at Epsom in June but Tregoning has indicated he may bypass a trip to France.
The Kingwood trainer could wait for the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes as Tregoning believes the Arc is “not the be all and end all”.
He said: “They’ve had a lot of rain overnight and more is forecast on Saturday, which means there won’t be any worry about fast conditions.
“It’s more the way I feel about him later in the week which will decide whether he runs in France.
“The ground is not so much a factor now, but we are hoping to keep him in training and I don’t want to bottom him.
“It’s not the be all and end all to run in the Arc, but we’ll see. I’m sitting on the fence and it’s around 50-50 at the moment.”
Should Sir Percy wait for the Champion, Tregoning is unconcerned by the drop back in trip to a mile and a quarter, saying: “He’s got loads of speed. Remember he gave George Washington a race in the 2000 Guineas.”
Tregoning could send Sir Percy on his travels next term though, with a trip to the World Cup meeting in Dubai a possibility.
“I will suggest to the owners that they run him in the Sheema Classic in Dubai. It’s a race we won with Nayef and the turf track rides great,” he added.
Youmzain gained the biggest success of his career when lifting the Group One IVG – Preis von Europa at Cologne yesterday.
The Mick Channon-trained three-year-old benefited from a vintage Kieren Fallon ride to get the better of Egerton close home. Fallon had settled his mount towards the rear of the seven-runner field before asking the colt for maximum effort as the field quickened for home. Once hitting top gear, Youmzain ran on willingly to assume command inside the final furlong and claim his first success at the highest level.
