Tarnawa has 'serious chance' in Turf as Weld targets first Breeders' Cup win

Dermot Weld believes Tarnawa is "unquestionably" the best chance he has yet had to break his duck at the Breeders’ Cup where the four-year-old filly will contest the Grade 1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Owned and bred by the Aga Khan, whose colours have been carried to success in the Turf by Lashkari and Kalanisi, as well as being part-owner of Daylami, Tarnawa has excelled this autumn with two Group 1 wins in France.

"We purposely planned an autumn campaign for her," Weld said. "We’ve kept her on the same training schedule [since her last run] and she’s a very straightforward filly to deal with. She did a nice bit of sharp work last week and I was very happy with the way she went."

Tarnawa is nominated for the Maker's Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland as well as the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but the latter, for which she is a general 3-1 joint-second favourite with Mogul behind 5-2 market leader Magical, is the most likely option for the four-year-old.

"I think it’s pretty certain she’ll go for the Breeders’ Cup Turf," Weld said. "It’s a tight, turning track with a short straight and the draw is very important in the Filly & Mare Turf, so if you’re unlucky enough to get a bad draw it doesn’t help your chances. You’ve got a better chance of overcoming that in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Dermot Weld: has won all over the world but is yet to find success at the Breeders' CupCredit: Patrick McCann

"Christophe Soumillon will definitely ride her again. I thought he gave her two perfect rides to win her Group 1s and you don’t break a winning combination."

The combination of Tarnawa’s improved form this autumn, during which she has captured the Prix Vermeille and the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend, and tactical speed has given Weld optimism that he will end his wait for a Breeders’ Cup winner.

The pioneering trainer has twice landed the Melbourne Cup and recorded major successes across the globe, including being the only European handler to capture a leg of the US Triple Crown with Go And Go in the 1990 Belmont Stakes, but has yet to score at the Breeders’ Cup.

Asked at a Breeders’ Cup preview event whether Tarnawa was his best chance of a winner at the fixture, Weld said: "Unquestionably. I’ve had very few horses with a serious chance of winning at the Breeders’ Cup.

"She’s equally effective over ten furlongs and a mile and a half. She’s a very sound, tough and genuine filly and she’s a stayer with speed."

He added: "Great credit must be given to the Breeders’ Cup for the organisation, for their help and for their ability to put on the fixture."

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