Schiergen Arc dream in limbo

Connections of Danedream will study the likely opposition before deciding whether to supplement the progressive three-year-old filly for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

Trainer Peter Schiergen and owners Gestut Berg Eberstein have until Thursday to make up their minds.

On Tuesday they can also look at the horses left in the big race at the latest forfeit stage. Danedream has lifted Group One races in her last two starts in her native Germany, the latest being a six-length demolition job in the Grosser Preis Von Baden at Baden-Baden.

“We will see the entries and I will speak with the owner, then we can make the decision,” said Schiergen.

“I am very happy with the filly. She is working well in the mornings.

“We will see how many runners are entered and then we will see.”

Danedream’s potential opposition is likely to be determined by the state of the ground.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre, responsible for ante-post favourite Sarafina, says the going can change dramatically at Longchamp.

“Sarafina can go on all grounds. That is important as we never know what kind of ground we are going to have in Longchamp,” he told At The Races.

“It can turn very quickly and go can go from firm, to sticky, to soft.

“Good ground is best – not too firm and not too soft. If it’s soft she can be competitive, if it is firm, the same.”

Frankie Dettori has ridden in the last 23 Arcs but with Godolphin likely to have no runner this year, he is pinning his hopes on Snow Fairy being confirmed as he seeks a fourth win in the big race.

However, the four-year-old filly’s trainer Ed Dunlop is another interested party monitoring the weather.

“Obviously, Snow Fairy wants the ground to stay fast, and she will work midweek and we’ll take it from there,” the Newmarket handler told www.edunlop.com.

Dettori’s agent, former jockey Ray Cochrane, has his fingers crossed Snow Fairy gets the nod. “I’m hoping it’s going to be Snow Fairy. I suppose Ed will be keeping a close eye on the ground,” said Cochrane.

“Frankie will be hoping she runs, that’s what we are looking for. ”She’s a good ride – it would do me. You never know this time of year what happens with the weather, but it’s certainly going in her direction at the minute.”

More in this section

Sport

Newsletter

Sign up to our daily sports bulletin, delivered straight to your inbox at 5pm. Subscribers also receive an exclusive email from our sports desk editors every Friday evening looking forward to the weekend's sporting action.

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited