Arc weekend gets off to a cracker
The race did not go to plan as Quest For More could not adopt his usual tactics of making all but Baker kept his cool and guided his mount from last to first to beat hot favourite Vazirabad
GEORGE Baker highlighted the value of momentum in sport after Quest For More thrillingly won the Prix du Cadran at Chantilly.
Suitably inspired by his St Leger triumph aboard Harbour Law at Doncaster last month - his first Classic success in the saddle - Baker arrived in France with deep confidence in his ability.
That was certainly the case during the Cadran, as he had the bravery and talent to produce Roger Charlton's six-year-old from last to first at precisely the right time.
This was not the plan, though. Quest For More had, after all, successfully made the running in the Lonsdale Cup at York and when he finished second in the Doncaster Cup.
But Baker and his willing companion work together with such unerring unison that his head defeat of Vazirabad looked an offshoot of careful planning and calculation.
The jockey said: "That was the bottom-of-the-alphabet plan and Mr Charlton was probably throwing things at the TV, but he just was not going with the same fluency.
"I know if that's the case with him, they are probably going too fast."
"He's a special horse and a model of consistency."
Makahiki's Arc claims were earlier given a timely lift via Doha Dream's tight triumph in the Prix Chaudenay.
The Japanese challenger had Doha Dream in third place in the Prix Niel last month, with the form nicely advertised in this Group Two over a mile and seven furlongs.
Andre Fabre's three-year-old colt came out on top by a short head in a bob-and-weave duel with Moonshiner on what was the winner's first try over a staying distance.
Fabre said: "I would be worried about the softish ground (this autumn) so I might now put him away until next season."
Progressive filly The Juliet Rose could also be some force in 2017 after she breezed to a three-length victory in the Prix de Royallieu.
Trainer Nicolas Clement said: "I think a mile and a half is her optimum trip and she'll stay in training next season."
Runner-up Almela, who was giving weight away to The Juliet Rose, is now in the frame to head to Saint-Cloud for the Prix Royal-Oak on October 23.
German challenger Potemkin could clock up even more air miles than Almela after he caught a few people by surprise in the Prix Dollar.
Internationally-respected trainer Andreas Wohler was so impressed by his inmate that he may send the four-year-old gelding to Hong Kong later in the year.
Jean-Claude Rouget was on the mark with Taareef, who ran out an impressive winner of the Prix Daniel Wildenstein in the hands of Ioritz Mendizabal.
