John Gosden admits he has been pleased with how The Fugue has settled in at Santa Anita and believes she is ready to contend in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.
The filly has claimed back-to-back Group One wins in her last two outings, with perhaps her most impressive showing coming in August’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks where she stormed home one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Venus De Milo.
Her performances have seen her become the most talked about contender of the European contingent and the camp will think she has somthing of a score to settle after the four-year-old only managed third in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
On that occasion she fell foul of a tough draw which saw her get trapped on the inside but she is now a year stronger and the longer trip should suit her.
Gosden appreciates the difficulties of the Santa Anita course, especially after last year, but is feeling confident and is hopeful that the ground in Los Angeles will help her continue her fine form.
“She is a year older and a stronger filly, but she still needs to get daylight. I’ve seen horses locked up many times on this track,? the trainer said. “Though she likes the track and the ground if you get pinned down on the inside at Santa Anita from a low draw it is a very tight track and it’s not easy to wriggle out of there.
“She’s in good form and she would have run in the Arc except for the ground and she would have run in the Champion Stakes except for the ground. We are hoping we can rely on the ground in Los Angeles.”
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