'I hope she'll put up a huge performance' - Murphy thrilled with Chrono Genesis

Japan's leading contender for a cherished first success in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe has nothing to fear should the Longchamp ground turn testing on Sunday, according to the man who knows her best.

Trainer Takashi Saito will saddle Chrono Genesis and was delighted with the way she easily went through the gears under big-race rider Oisin Murphy on Wednesday morning in Chantilly.

The 39-year-old Saito said: "In terms of the ground I don't have a lot of concerns. It's an eternal debate, whether the reverses suffered by the Japanese runners in the Arc are often linked to the state of the ground.

"I've been asked a lot about it by journalists since I arrived in France. But I think Chrono Genesis is a mare who is adaptable and whatever the conditions, she is brave and gives 100 per cent.

"Even if the ground gets very heavy, she will do her best, so I’m not worried."

Takashi Saito, trainer of Chrono Genesis, talking to the media prior to the 100th Qatar Prix de l'Arc de TriompheCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Murphy flew to France to ride the five-year-old, who many consider the strongest challenger from Japan since the days of dual runner-up Orfevre.

The pair barely broke out of a hack canter for nearly half of the exercise before Murphy gradually wound up Chrono Genesis on the turn for home, letting her stretch out in front of a gaggle of interested observers from her entourage and the media.

"It's the first time I've sat on her," said Murphy. "The ground's quite soft but we didn't do anything strenuous, and all her fast work was done in Japan. It was about getting a feel for her and just getting a little blow into her before the big day.

"She felt very well, she moved super and I was quite happy that she feels fine on that softish ground."

The Chrono Genesis team have deliberately missed any lead-up race and have elected to run more or less straight off the plane, with the daughter of Bago having arrived in Chantilly only on Saturday.

She will be attempting to bridge a 98-day gap from her win in the Takarazuka Kinen at the end of June – the same plan adopted when Deep Impact came over to challenge for the Arc in 2006 – and Murphy was pleased with how well Chrono Genesis felt just five days into her stay.

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"To look at, you wouldn't think she'd just come from Japan and I think her weight is pretty normal, so they've done a good job getting her here," he added.

"She stays well and I think in a race of this nature you've got to be sure of that. It's the strongest Arc in recent years and there are lots of champions, but she's the best middle-distance horse in Japan, she's a four-time Group 1 winner and she's earned her right to be here. I hope she'll put up a huge performance."

Oisin Murphy debriefs the media after the workoutCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Murphy said the draw and ground would be key factors in how he and Saito plan the race, while he believes in such a deep field, jockeyship could be the difference between winning and losing.

When asked if so many prominent runners might set things up for him, Murphy said: "Yes, it possibly does, but the likes of Adayar and Hurricane Lane won’t be stopping so I don't think you necessarily want to be giving them ground.

"It's a high-class field with a lot of superstars, I’m on one of them. It will come down to who gives their horse the best ride, I think there’s a lot of pressure on the jockeys to get things right on the day."

Read more on the 2021 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe:

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: Adayar and Snowfall supplemented for €120,000

'Sunday is not good' – rain could turn Arc day ground soft at Longchamp

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe tips: why this horse can win Sunday's big race

2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe: essential info for the big race at Longchamp

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