THE American operatic first dramatic soprano that was Minnie Hauk lost most of her fortune in World War 1.
But on Sunday in France her equine equivalent has a huge chance of getting super rich in one of the biggest races of them all.
PAThe mighty Minnie Hauk will be without Ryan Moore in the Arc but she has all the attributes needed – and a plum draw to boot – to score in the massive Group 1[/caption]
Minnie Hauk has been handed what I believe will be a crucial berth in stall 1 for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, often seen as the European middle distance showdown in the world of Flat racing.
I’m lucky enough to be there for Sky Sports Racing, bringing you all the best interviews from the track.
The stars of the turf win the Arc.
Sea Bird and Mill Reef, Dancing Brave and Lammtarra, Montjeu and Sinndar, Sakhee and Sea The Stars, Treve, Enable and Golden Horn are all Arc heroes and heroines.
And of course that’s not to mention Zarkava, the brilliant three-year-old filly who scored from the inside berth in 2008.
Despite that success, typically Box 1 is not where you want to be in an Arc.
But with Minnie Hauk’s Aidan O’Brien-trained stable companion Los Angeles out wide and likely to go forward, I suspect it will be a gift from the Gods.
Pace is key in every race, and Minnie Hauk is close to Daryz, Sosie and Giavellotto who will all be tucked behind the leaders.
She can go forward and either wait for Alohi Alii to fly off, or sit tidy and allow Los Angeles to give a lead.
All in all it should work perfectly for Christophe Soumillon. Minnie Hauk has only been beaten once.
She was a battling Oaks winner at Epsom, and showed her class in both the Irish equivalent and the Yorkshire version. She’s the one to beat.
To be honest, I’m surprised I just wrote all the above.
Ever since the Vermeille romp I thought Aventure was deserving of being a strong Arc favourite.
But last year’s runner-up has been drawn out wide in 12, and she has to give weight to a Coolmore beast who is more talented than Bluestocking, the horse who beat Aventure this time last year.
Kalpana has place claims for Andrew Balding but I don’t see cheekpieces as a positive, and quite simply she’s come up a bit short this term.
Some will think I’m mad, but I’m not convinced last year’s fourth Sosie is a strong stayer at this trip.
He didn’t beat much when landing last season’s Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel, and for me he didn’t see it out behind Bluestocking. I might be wrong.
Japanese challengers Byzantine Dream and Croix Du Nord would have been much easier to like on a faster surface.
Although exactly what the ground will be is hard to know at the time of writing. I’m expecting soft.
Cualifcar needs to improve plenty for the Godolphin team.
Ground with any juice will not suit Hong Kong winner Giavellotto who would have been best on good or faster. It’s Minnie Hauk for me.
On Saturday I’m at Newmarket for ITV to bring you coverage of the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.
Fallen Angel will be strongly fancied after her victories in the Group 1 Rothschild and Matron, but the ground might be fast enough for Wathnan Racing’s star.
Lady Of Spain has been a revelation for Roger Varian and is unbeaten in five starts and gives Ray Dawson a massive opportunity to score at the top level.
That all said, the horse I think will take all the beating is the Godolphin contender CINDERELLA’S DREAM (2.40).
What Charlie Appleby’s class act needs is a strong gallop, and she should get that here with Fallen Angel, Spiritual and Sparks Fly all capable of leading.
That will be music to the ears of William Buick, as Cinderella’s Dream stays further than this.
She was a terrific second to Moira in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf over a mile and three furlongs and returned in the UK this season with a fine success in the Dahlia.
Everything sets up here for a closing thrust from Cinderella’s Dream, and I expect her to finish off too strongly.
Minnie Hauk and Cinderella’s Dream — two to enjoy on Arc weekend.
Let’s have a ball. Yeeehaaa!
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