Jarnet insists Arc heroine Treve retains ‘a lot of quality’
Frankie Dettori had ridden the star filly on three of her last four starts since she was snapped up by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani’s Al Shaqab Racing operation, but Jarnet will be back at the helm for this weekend’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe trial. The French pilot was on board when Treve won her first three races and also did the steering when she scorched to victory in the Arc last season as Dettori was injured.
The four-year-old daughter of Motivator has been sidelined since suffering a back problem during the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, but Jarnet believes his long-standing alliance with the filly will stand them in good stead for Europe’s premier Flat race.
Jarnet said: “I believed I wouldn’t ride the filly again when she was bought by Sheikh Joaan because he had a contract with another jockey and that’s the reality at the moment.
“I don’t know if she (Treve) is especially difficult, but I know her by heart and have been around her since her debut.
“Maybe there is a bit more feeling that passes between horse and rider.
“There are a lot of different things that can happen in a race. But she remains a filly with a lot of quality and you have to try and extract the best from her.”
Yorkshire Oaks heroine Tapestry is among 13 potential rivals to Treve.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Tapestry would certainly be a formidable opponent if she does make the journey to Paris on Sunday having taken away King George heroine Taghrooda’s unbeaten record last month at York.
She is, however, also engaged in the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Taghrooda’s trainer John Gosden has a couple of major contenders in Pomology and Sultanina, while David Simcock’s Madame Chiang is the only other potential British challenger.
Alain de Royer-Dupre’s trio of Vazira, Mintaka and Dolniya and the Andre Fabre-trained Baltic Baroness still feature.
