By Daithi Harvey
The G1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp on Apr. 29 is the likely target for Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to make his eagerly awaited seasonal debut. The G1 Sheema Classic at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night had been considered by connections as a potential starting point, but Cracksman's owner Anthony Oppenheimer confirmed the French race to be the preferred option on Monday.
“I think the Dubai race just comes a little bit early in the year, this horse will have a long programme, if he completes it,” he said. “It's a long way out to Dubai and to take him out there, have him 100% ready for that, it makes it an awfully long season.”
Cracksman brought the curtain down on his 3-year-old season with a stunning seven-length victory in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot last October. The John Gosden-trained colt will begin the season rated 130, which puts him just two pounds behind the world's top-rated horse Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and two pounds ahead of his brilliant stablemate Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).
Having raced only seven times, Cracksman has definite scope for further improvement and his owner/breeder added, “I've seen the horse today and he looks wonderful, but the Prix Ganay seems to be the most sensible race to go for.”
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