Arc dream alive as Weld confirms sublime Tarnawa will stay in training next year

Dermot Weld believes superstar filly Tarnawa could scale even greater heights next season, with the brilliant Breeders' Cup Turf heroine set to remain in training as she charts a possible path to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The Aga Khan-owned four-year-old's future appeared uncertain after the curtain came down on a flawless campaign at Keeneland earlier this month, but the Curragh-based trainer has confirmed that the triple Group 1 scorer will be back for more in the new year.

"The plan is to train her again for another autumn campaign next year as a five-year-old," Weld said. "Hopefully we can do as well as we did this year."

Dermot Weld on Tarnawa: 'The plan is to train her again for another autumn campaign next year as a five-year-old'Credit: Alex Evers (Eclipse Sportswire/CSM)

He added: "The Arc certainly could come on the radar, although it's a long way away. She came home from America in good form. Hopefully there's a lot to look forward to."

The legendary trainer has handled Tarnawa's 14-race career beautifully thus far, reaping the benefits of targeting an autumn campaign this year.

Dermot Weld: Tarnawa success on par with Go And Go winning the Belmont Stakes

He believes there could be more to come from the Breeders' Cup winner, who ended this season with a mark of 119.

"She's a wonderfully tough, genuine mare who's improved every season for me," said Weld.

"She progressed from two to three and three to four. There's no reason why there may not even be a little more improvement to come in what will be her final year next year."

Hong Kong still under consideration for Romanised

Fellow Curragh trainer Ken Condon says his leading light Romanised could yet have one final start in the Hong Kong Mile next month despite finishing third as 8-13 favourite at Dundalk on Monday.

The former Irish 2,000 Guineas winner did well to recover a position after missing the start badly in a conditions race and was just gunned down late on by Saltonstall, who was better treated at the weights.

Romanised and Billy Lee landing the Paddy Power Minstrel StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Condon wasn't too despondent about the defeat, with a final decision set to be made on Romanised's potential Far East swansong next week.

"We'll watch him for the next week and see how he trains before we finally commit," said the Osborne Lodge trainer.

"Initially I was a bit disappointed but when you go through it, it wasn't a bad run at all. He shaped well and moved through the race well, the start just wasn't ideal. He missed it badly."

Condon added: "The handicapper seems to think he's run to a rating of 112, and that could be upgraded to 115 on account of the slow start. That brings him into similar territory to what he ran to in his two Minstrel Stakes wins.

"He got a bit tired in the last 100 yards and took a blow. He's still in the mix to travel so we'll see how he gets on over the coming days."

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