Snowfall's Arc Mission Suffers a Setback

The shock loss by Snowfall (Deep Impact-Best in the World, by Galileo) in the Gr1 Qatar Prix Vermeille over the weekend saw the Japanese-bred triple Oaks winner move out to 6-1 for the Gr1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, reports bloodhorse.com. "I was probably too far back and I didn't think Hollie went fast enough for me," said Snowfall's jockey Frankie Dettori with regards to Snowfall's second placing. "It turned into a bit of a sprint and Ollie [Olivier Peslier] outsprinted me, simple as that." The race was won by Teona (Sea The Stars-Ambivalent, by Authorized) after pacemaker La Jocende (Frankel-Wadyhatta, by Cape Cross) ridden by Holly Doyle faded to third. "Whether Snowfall ran up to her very best, you could argue that she didn't. But the Oaks was not our race, she couldn't handle the conditions and ours is a very good filly. I've always said that and that's why it's so satisfying that it's come through today," said Teona's trainer Roger Varian. Meanwhile, Japan might have another strong contender for the Arc after the impressive win of Deep Bond (Kizuna-Zephyranthes, by King Halo) in the Gr2 Prix Foy over 2400m.