'Protect'-ing a Perfect Record

The Pattison Canadian International S., a Grade I worth C$1 million, has truly lived up to its name in 2016, with such international shippers as French Group 1 winner Erupt (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}); Her Majesty The Queen's G2 Hardwicke S. winner Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}); top-ranked Irish sophomore Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}); Canadian classic winner Danish Dynaformer (Dynaformer) and American Grade I winners The Pizza Man (English Channel), Wake Forest (Ger) (Sir Percy {GB}) and World Approval (Northern Afleet) all probable to start. Perhaps the most worthy of said global title, though, is 2014 G1 Melbourne Cup hero Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}). Bred and trained in Germany and owned by Australians, the long-winded multi-continental Group 1 winner will look to stay undefeated on the season for decorated conditioner Andreas Wohler.

“He shipped fine and the travel went perfectly for him,” Wohler reported. “So far, so good with him. He cleared [quarantine] and is training very well right now.”

Performing to his drills, the bay son of Monsun is fresh off a dominant victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten Aug. 14 and will be the first winner of the Melbourne Cup to compete in North America in many years. A stylish four-length victor in said event–the most prestigious in the Southern Hemisphere–in late 2014, the 6-year-old has made an about-face from a experimental 2015 campaign Down Under that saw him fail to hit the board in eight consecutive races for trainer Kris Lees. Such was quite the reverse in form, considering the athletic stayer had only failed to hit the board once in 10 prior attempts for Wohler–and that effort was a half-length astern fourth-place finish.

Returned by owner Jamie Lovett's Australian Bloodstock to the Wohler yard in Germany, he quickly regained his top form this year. Winning a June allowance at Dusseldorf in facile fashion, he followed that up with an easy victory over subsequent G1 Grosser Preis von Baden winner Iquitos (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis at Hamburg prior to his Berlin blitzkrieg, in which he defeated next-out G1 Preis von Europa victress Nightflower (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}).

“He's progressed so rapidly this year that couldn't be happier with how he's doing,” Wohler said. “We were happy to have him back after his year in Australia. He's a great horse to have and we think we can win the race.

“[The Canadian International] is an interesting race,” he continued. “The track suits him, I think, and he should run his race. We had a little set-back after the race in Berlin, so we did not go to the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe] last week with him. We then waited a fortnight for this race and feel it is the best spot for him.”

Possessed of a versatile running style, proven stamina and an affinity for any type of ground, Protectionist could be a tough customer over Woodbine's sweeping course and sizable straight. Perfect in all three attempts at the 1 1/2-mile distance in the Northern Hemisphere, he will be ridden by Wohler's top man, Eduardo Pedroza.

“I'd like to see him somewhere mid-field,” Wohler said. “Eduardo knows him better than myself and will make those decisions as the race happens and of course it depends on the pace and draw, but we will consider everything more when we know those things.”

While he has yet to win the International, Wohler has accomplished plenty on the North American stage. Trainer of 2001 GI Arlington Million winner Silvano (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}), he also conditioned Lauro (Ger)–another son of Monsun–to win the GII Sky Classic at Woodbine in 2008, a few weeks after running unplaced in the International.

Wohler confirmed that Protectionist, an interesting outcross being out of Patineuse (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) with the dexterity to land group stakes from a 1 1/16 miles to two miles, may be retired to stud at the end of the season, but no concrete plans have been made. One more run before the completion of the year could include the G1 Japan Cup or G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. Until then, the focus is squarely on Toronto.

“There are some good horses in the race, obviously,” he concluded. “Idaho is a top horse who got very unlucky in the St. Leger. He will be tough to beat. I think Protectionist fits well and we are very happy.”