(Updated – Oct. 4, 9 p.m.) The European stakes stars will soon land in Toronto for the Pattison Canadian International, E P Taylor and Nearctic Stakes on Oct. 12, all Grade 1 grass races.
With major turf events this weekend such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Joe Hirsch (G1) at Belmont, the International reportedly has just a projected field of seven according to Woodbine media notes.
For certain, last year’s winner DESERT ENCOUNTER is scheduled to compete and Chiefswood Stables’ TIZ A SLAM, a contender for Canadian Horse of the Year, is also confirmed.
The 4-year-old gelding ZIYAD, recent winner of the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville in France is an exciting possible invader for Wertheimer et Frere and trainer Carlos Laffon Parias.
Here are the seven probables for the $800,000 International at 1 1/2 miles on turf, with likely favourites being Desert Encounter, Tiz a Slam and Ziyad
Horse – Trainer – Owner – Jockey
Alounak (FR) – Waldemar Hickst – Darius Racing – Clement Levoeuvre
– 4-year-old colt is a one-time winner, 5th in Group 1 in Germany in most recent
Desert Encounter (IRE) – David Simcock – Abdulla Al Mansoori – Andrea Atzeni
– 7yo was last year’s winner has won 3 straight Group 3’s
Nessy – Ian Wilkes – Sierra Farm – Chris Landeros
– second in the Northern Dancer Turf at Woodbine last time to Old Persian; 6yo won a Grade 3 in 2018
Pivoine (IRE) – Andrew Balding – King Power Racing Co. Ltd. – Rob Hornby
– 5yo was 5th in Grade 1 Arlington Million, went back overseas, recently 2nd to Desert Encounter in Gr 3
Pumpkin Rumble – Kevin Attard – Al and Bill Ulwelling – Eurico Rosa Da Silva
-set a course record in stakes win at Parx, 1 1/16 miles turf; 0 for 7 at 12 furlongs on turf
Tiz a Slam – Roger Attfield – Chiefswood Stables Limited – Steven Bahen
– won three straight graded stakes on turf at 12 furlongs before 4th in the Northern Dancer Turf
Ziyad (GB) – Carlos Laffon-Parias – Wertheimer et Frere – Maxime Guyon
– 4yo just won his maiden in the Group 2 Gran Prix de Deauville, was previously 2nd in Group 1 Prix de S Cloud
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