Freddie Head’s wonder mare Goldikova bids to show she has lost none of her considerable talent when she makes her seasonal reappearance in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday.
Connections could have been forgiven for retiring the 12-time Group One winner after she secured a remarkable third success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in November, but she is back for more.
The six-year-old made a winning return in this weekend’s nine-furlong (1800m) contest 12 months ago and Head is confident his star performer remains as good as ever.
“I think she is just as good as she was last year,” Head said.
“I like this race for her. It is a good place to start.”
Victory this weekend could set up a clash with Richard Hannon’s recent Lockinge winner Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot.
The British champion trainer said he would relish locking horns with Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes and Head is certainly not scared of the challenge.
“We would absolutely like to go back to Royal Ascot,” he said.
“We will see what she does on Sunday and decide that with the owners.
“Canford Cliffs looked good, but you have to take on what is there. We have been taking on every horse for three years and we’ll have to take him on as well I suppose.
“It would be a good race and it’s good for racing.”
Goldikova runs in the colours of the Wertheimer brothers and their racing manager, Pierre-Yves Bureau, does not want to look beyond Sunday’s race.
“Everything is OK for the moment and of course we look forward to seeing her again,” Bureau said.
“She is going to run against plenty of horses who have already run this year and she is having her first run, but I saw her last week and she is in good form and in good shape.”
Head also saddles recent Group Two winner Rajsaman, as well as likely pacemaker Flash Dance.
Hannon sends Dick Turpin, bidding to bounce back from a slightly disappointing fourth in the Lockinge. Jimmy Fortune takes the ride.
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