Jul 21 (newsonjapan.com) - A Japanese horse has never won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the race which is regarded as the most prestigious turf contest anywhere in the world. However, Satono Diamond could be the first to land that prize later this year as the multiple-time Group One winner has been tipped by many as their fancy in October.
Orfevre came the closest of any Asian horse to win the Arc in 2012 when he was denied the victory in a photo-finish when he was beaten by a neck by Solemia. In 2014, Harp Star finished third as a three-year-old at Longchamp, while last year, Makahiki went there with big hopes but was very disappointing down the field.
One thing Satono Diamond won't be lacking when he lines up at Chantilly later this year is stamina. He was run over much further than the 1m4f trip, so connections will be hoping for a strong pace which could suit their horse. As a three-year-old, he won the Kikuka Sho, which is the Japanese St Leger, run over 1m7f. There, along with his usual pilot, French jockey Christophe-Patrice Lemaire, he came out on top by over a couple of lengths in the Group One field.
The Yasutoshi Ikee-trained horse dropped back down in trip at the back end of last year to show how suitable he was for the Arc distance when he won the Arima Kinen at Nakayama. He was involved in a close battle with Kitasan Black and Gold Actor inside the final furlong but he was able to get the better of the two older horses to claim the biggest win of his career.
Satono Diamond returned to action this year back in March when he claimed the Group Two Hanshin Daishoten in what proved to be a comfortable start for the four-year-old. He did though have to settle for third place in the Tenno Sho during the Spring meeting at Kyoto.
The Japanese horse is likely to run at least once more before his Arc bid in October, where he can be backed at a top price of 14/1 to come out on top. If you are looking to back Ikee's runner at Chantilly or any of the other races at the meeting, tips pages such as those on The Winners Enclosure feature a NAP of the day, along with a number of bookmaker sign-up offers, which may be able to give you a free bet to place on Satono Dimaond in the Arc.
The leading challenge from Europe this year for the Group One race in France is from Enable, who won the Oaks at Epsom back in June. Since then, the three-year-old filly became a dual-Classic winner at the Curragh and is set to be ridden at Chantilly by leading European jockey Frankie Dettori.
This year's Arc takes place on October 1 and it will be the last time the race will be held at Chantilly before it moves back to Longchamp in 2018, which is set to open its renovated track.Â
