Criquette Head comes out of retirement - but just for one day!

The tables fully turned on Sunday as David Menuisier, former right-hand man to Criquette Head, brought the three-time Arc-winning trainer out of retirement as his assistant for the day at Longchamp.

Menuisier spent two and a half years as assistant to Head on completing his university studies and shares a close connection with Treve's trainer, so much so that she is an owner in the Pulborough yard.

Travelling back to Melbourne ruled Menuisier out of seeing History Writer contest the Listed Prix du Ranelagh at Longchamp, so he sought the help of the recently retired trainer who has countless experience of saddling a runner on raceday.

Criquette Head pictured visiting David Menuisier's yard, seen here giving a pat to Thundering Blue, last year (@DavidMenuisier)Credit: @DavidMenuisier

Menuisier said: "Criquette came out of retirement! I decided to supplement History Writer for a race at Longchamp on Sunday and I was flying back to Melbourne that day so gave her a ring and told her if she was going to Longchamp I would employ her for the day to saddle up our horse and brief the jockey.

"I did joke with her and ask if she still knew how to do it. She told me she might be a bit rusty!

"I've known Criquette for around 17 years and she's great. She's quite proud of what we’re achieving and is one of our owners, so she’s a great supporter. Quite often if I have a dilemma I give her a call and see what she thinks."

History Writer finished third, scooping just over £7,000 in prize-money for connections, while the Head-owned Edmond Dantes filled the same spot on his final start of the season at Yarmouth on Tuesday.

Clock points to prime Prince

Official times are a crucial ingredient for punters in Australia and the performance of Prince Of Arran in Wednesday's bet365 Geelong Cup points favourably to his Lexus Melbourne Cup claims.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained six-year-old recorded the fastest time in the last 14 runnings of the Geelong Cup, and while quick ground no doubt helped, a good quality field and the tempo of the race are other factors to take into account for a horse that simply thrives in Australia.

Prince Of Arran's record in Australia

2018 Caulfield Cup 3rd
2018 Lexus Stakes 1st
2018 Melbourne Cup 3rd
2019 Herbert Power 2nd
2019 Geelong Cup 1st

Just three Geelong Cup winners have posted a quicker time since the turn of the millennium. They include subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Media Puzzle in 2004 and Flemington second On A Jeune in 2005.

Prince Of Arran's spot in the Melbourne Cup was all but confirmed on Thursday after Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter raised him 1kg to 54kg and 23rd spot in the order of entry.

Room for improvement with reserves

Official draws for the big races in Australia add intrigue in the lead-up to the event, but allowing the connections of reserves to pick a stall is curious.

If there is a withdrawal, the reserve should take the stall of the horse that has missed out rather than confusing the draw in its first instance.

In the current system, the stall number for a runner does not represent where the horse will be berthed, particularly for those drawn wide whose stall can be reduced by four.

It also provides a dilemma for connections when selecting a draw. They may pick their ideal stall but end up further inside once a reserve is taken out. One to be reviewed!

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