Connections are favouring the Qipco Champion Stakes for Calandagan after his valiant second to a “true champion” within the Juddmonte Worldwide at York.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained bay has had an outstanding season up to now, scoring a Group-race hat-trick that started with success within the Prix Noailles and led to victories within the Prix Hocquart after which the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The latter run was a superb six-length triumph and booked the gelding’s place within the Juddmonte Worldwide at York final week for a primary check at Group One degree for owner-breeder the Aga Khan.
There he was a 13/2 probability below Stephane Pasquier when stepping down in journey, and although left in mid-division by the quick early tempo the three-year-old was all the time travelling nicely as Metropolis Of Troy made the working.
On the flip for residence Calandagan started to progress on the skin and within the straight he confirmed a really sensible flip of foot to move nearly all of the sphere and provides chase to the chief.
Metropolis Of Troy held on to a one-length win with Calandagan behind him, and the third-placed Ghostwriter was an additional three and a half lengths again as the primary two residence broke the monitor report set by the nice Sea The Stars in 2009.
Choices for Calandagan’s subsequent outing are narrowed down by the truth that he’s a gelding and due to this fact not eligible for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with connections at the moment favouring Ascot in October as a substitute.
“He came out of the race really well, I am very pleased to see how he took that race – even better than the race at Ascot,” mentioned Graffard.
“We dropped back in distance so it was hard to get closer to the pace, but he finished really strongly and he was beaten by a true champion so we were very pleased with his run.
“We have not decided but, however in the meanwhile we’re leaning in direction of the Champion Stakes at Ascot for his subsequent run.”
There will be suitable races overseas once the European season reaches an end, but it is yet to be decided whether Calandagan will stay in action that long or will be wound down for a winter break before returning next year.
Graffard added: “He has alternatives overseas, but it surely relies upon if we determine to attend for subsequent 12 months or if we hold going this season. That might be determined with the proprietor.”
