Another German fairytale? Grewe sets sights on Breeders' Cup Turf with Sisfahan

A month on from Torquator Tasso springing a major shock in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe another German-trained horse is being aimed at a top international prize, with Sisfahan being readied for the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf a week on Saturday.

Sisfahan produced a withering turn of foot to land the Deutsches Derby at Hamburg in July and trainer Henk Grewe is prepared to forgive him a third-placed effort behind the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Alpinista in the Grosser Preis von Europa at Cologne last month

"The race last time was very slow and he needs a fast pace to run at and good ground, so he should get both of those in Del Mar," said Grewe.

In between those two starts Sisfahan pushed Torquator Tasso all the way to the line in what we now know was a red-hot Grosser Preis von Baden

The winner went on to Longchamp glory as a barely considered 72-1 shot and while bookmakers are yet to quote Sisfahan for the Turf, on a strict line through the Arc winner he only has a quarter of a length to find with ante-post favourite Tarnawa.

"He will set off in the early hours of Friday morning and travel via Liege and London," said Grewe. "He has a lot of speed and he doesn't get involved in the race early. He wants plenty of pace in front of him and firm or good ground. I think everything should fit for him on November 6."

Sisfahan's Derby win and the second-placed effort in Germany's biggest all-aged race came under the vastly experienced Andrasch Starke but since he moved yards to become first jockey to Markus Klug, Grewe has called up French-based Cristian Demuro.

"I think Cristian is a brilliant jockey, really world class," said Grewe. "And I think he is very good on horses who are held up off the pace."

Demuro will be riding at a first Breeders' Cup while Grewe had a taste of the meeting 12 months ago when Donjah finished down the field in the Mile at Keeneland.

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