Less than a week after it hosted the first G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe back at the newly remodeled ParisLongchamp, France Galop has moved that course's final three fixtures this year elsewhere, citing the need for ground maintenance.
The Oct. 21 meeting, which includes the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and three listed races, and the Oct. 28 meeting, featuring the G1 Criterium International and G1 Prix Royal Oak, will take place at Chantilly. The Oct. 30 meeting will be moved to Saint Cloud.
The condition of the ParisLongchamp surface-compounded by a long and cold winter, a wet spring and a dry summer–has been a growing concern throughout the season, and moving the meetings will allow scheduled maintenance to begin early. The surface caused drama during the French Guineas meeting in May when the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches was switched to the outer track some 30 minutes before the race, and large parts of the track had to be re-seeded both before and after Arc trials day in September.
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