Wonderful Tonight on track for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
- Andy Morgan
- 25 August 2021
Wonderful Tonight finished fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks at last week's Ebor Festival, putting her on track for an appearance at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.
It was the filly's third race this season, having tasted victory in both the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and Goodwood's Lillie Langtry.
Those wins came on soft ground and her Group One successes in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot and the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp suggest a preference for these conditions.
Last week, the turf at York was good, but Wonderful Tonight still took part in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks. She ended up being beaten by eight-and-a-half lengths by Aidan O'Brien's winner Snowfall.
Trainer David Menuisier says she is in good form following the race and still on track for her principal target of the campaign at Longchamp on October 3.
"She's absolutely fine," he said.
"I am glad we went there, and I thought she had a good run.
"The ground made her work a bit harder than when she runs on soft ground, which is the opposite of most horses.
"That's why I'm glad we ran. She came out of the race really well and she answered a few of our questions.
"I'm delighted that she did. For now we'll continue to do the right thing by her and for her and hope for the best."
Wonderful Tonight is entered in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 11, but Menuisier confirmed Paris is the main aim.
"The Arc is still the target - more so than ever," said the trainer.
