Weiss: 'I joked last winter we'd have to call up Frankie for Torquator Tasso'

152nd Wettstar Grosser Preis von Baden (Group 1) | 3yo+ | 1m4f

The winner of Germany's top all-aged race will literally be treading in the footsteps of history on their way back to the Baden-Baden enclosure, as they stride back up a brick walkway which features the names of every previous winner.

Arc hero Torquator Tasso already features at the very end of that walk and he will be a short-priced favourite to win back-to-back runnings, with connections hoping it will act as a springboard for a defence of his Longchamp crown.

With regular rider Rene Piechulek required to partner Mendocino, Frankie Dettori has the job of guiding the son of Adlerflug and he will be hoping he can add a fourth success to go with those of Germany, Marienbard and Mamool already immortalised on the brick walk.

Marcel Weiss has called up Frankie Dettori for the ride on Torquator Tasso as Rene Piechulek is claimed to ride MendocinoCredit: Christophe Archambault (AFP Getty Images)

"We thought even last winter that there was a chance Torquator Tasso and Mendocino might meet," said trainer Marcel Weiss. "I joked with the owners that there was no need to worry, we'd just call up Frankie Dettori. Eight months later, here we are."

With an excellent effort when running Pyledriver to two and three quarter lengths in the King George to add to his famous victory in Paris, Torquator Tasso will be a prohibitive price, despite the presence of Deutsches Derby hero Sammarco in the select four-runner line-up.

Weiss said: "Torquator Tasso has definitely improved again since his run at Ascot, his last two pieces of work on the turf have been just as good as ever and he really loves this time of year."

If the build-up has been nothing but positive, Weiss is a man to not get carried away and he does have a couple of concerns.

"I wouldn't say only having four runners is ideal, it could turn into a bit of a farce," said Weiss. "I'd like there to be a good gallop and we would have more chance of that with eight or ten runners. I hope they don't all end up staring at each other.

"The other thing is that, although he won this race last year, he is definitely better going right-handed."

Sammarco connections ready for 'big test'

Even allowing for weight for age Sammarco has 6lb to find with Torquator Tasso according to the official German handicapper, but his profile is nothing if not progressive.

Having got the better of a blanket finish in the Derby, he showed a fine turn of foot to run down Saturday's Group 2 winner Amazing Grace and French-trained challenger Ebaiyra over ten furlongs in a Munich Group 1 at the end of July.

Trainer Peter Schiergen and owner Helmut von Finck have put all talk of the Arc on hold until after the Grosser Preis but the possibility that he could be supplemented is far from discounted should he excel here.

Sammarco strides to victory in the Grosser Dallmayr-Pries under Rene Piechulek, who today will be in opposition aboard MendocinoCredit: Sabine Schweitzer / marcruehl.co

Schiergen said: "It's a very big test for him even though he's a three-time Group 1 winner. There are only four horses now and I just hope he gets a good trip. Sammarco and the jockey [Bauyrzhan Murzabayev] make a very good team. Maybe we can win, but I hope we are at least second."

He added: "The ground should be fine for him and even though the track has had plenty of racing, we haven't had much rain so it should be okay."

Despite having proved his ability to quicken over two furlongs shorter, neither of the principals would be suited by a falsely run race and Schiergen is banking on the horse that beat an undercooked Torquator Tasso on his return to action here in May to ensure the quartet don't just trot round.

"Even though we now only have four horses I would expect Alter Adler to ensure a good even pace," he said.

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