Connections keen on Galikova's Arc chances

CONNECTIONS of Galikova reckon the Prix Vermeille winner has a solid chance of becoming just the third three-year-old filly in 30 years to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The Freddy Head-trained daughter of Galileo is as short as 6-1 to win at Longchamp on Sunday, having won impressively over the course and distance last time.

Head won the race four times as a jockey, two of those successes coming on three-year-old fillies in the shape of San San in 1972 and Three Troikas in 1979,and he reckons the weight that Galikova will receive from the horses in front of her in the betting gives her a great chance.

Galikova will get 8lb from favourite Sarafina and 11lb from both So You Think and Workforce and Head said: "I won two with three-year-old fillies when I was a jockey so I know that three-year-old fillies do well in the race. The weight is very good for them because they receive a lot of weight."

Galikova was making it five wins from seven starts when beating Testosterone by two and a half lengths at Longchamp last time and Head told At The Races: "She is the right type for the Arc. I was very pleased with the way she finished that race. She was galloping on at the end. She gets a mile and a half no problem and she is easy to settle. She has enough speed to take a good position and I fancy her a lot."

Olivier Peslier has ridden Galikova in all of her races and the three-time Arc-winning rider shares her trainer's enthusiasm.

He said: "She is very lovely and she won well last time over the course and distance. She has improved and her form is very good. She worked very well last week and I think she has a chance."

Of the dangers to his mount Peslier added: "Sarafina won well last time and Reliable Man won well last time but the race is very open and I think my filly has a good chance. It depends on the draw now. Not so many fillies have won the Arc but she is in good form so why not?"