Last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz is set to embark on his four year old campaign in the Prix Ganay this season. Un-raced at two, Daryz made his debut last April and made it four-from-four having won the Group 2 Eugene Adam.
Daryz disappointed in the Juddmonte International Stakes, but he was keen enough there and got back on track in the Prince d’Orange. The step up in trip worked the oracle, as the Sea The Stars colt stayed on well to defy Minnie Hauk in the Arc.
His trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has long earmarked the Ganay as a starting point. Speaking on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, via Sporting Life, Graffard said: “He’s fantastic, he looks amazing. I started working him a long time ago. Not a long time ago but longer than I usually do because he’s quite a strong horse. He put some condition on, I didn’t want to have him taking me too much time to get him fit. He’s been training really well, pleased with him. It was always the plan to start him in the Ganay and the horse is ready to go.”
“I won’t scared to drop him back to the d’Ispahan” – Graffard
While no future targets were discussed, Graffard insisted a drop back in trip this season would be no issue. “The beginning of last season he was really a 10 furlong horse” remarked Graffard. We knew he was going to stay but he needs a good, strong pace. So the way he got up the other day at the racecourse, I won’t be scared to drop him back to the d’Isphahan.
“I think he has enough speed for that and I’m happy to start him over 10 furlongs. I would have anyway because the way he behaves in the morning. He needs a good, strong set up, more pace than a mile and a half basically.”
Graffard ‘would like to avoid very soft ground’ with Calandagan
The French-man also gave an update on Calandagan on Nick Luck Daily. The world’s best racehorse returned with success in Meydan last month, and the King George is once again his main aim.
“We might do the same plan as last year and run him at Epsom. But I would like to avoid very soft ground” said Graffard. His last defeat came at Epsom in the Coronation Cup, failing to reel in Jan Brueghel.
“His main target is the King George this summer. What we did last year with the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud was perfect for that. To get him really fit for the King George. In the meantime, he might to go Epsom for the Coronation Cup.”