John Gosden declared The Fugue in “tremendous shape” as his star filly limbered for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita.
The Irish Champion Stakes winner was accompanied on the grass by big-race pilot William Buick, and was watched by Gosden, part-owner Lady Lloyd Webber and racing manager Simon Marsh.
An unlucky-in-running third in the Filly & Mare Turf event last year, connections have this time elected to take on her male counterparts over a longer trip, and she travelled to America having skipped the Arc and Champions Day due to rain-softened conditions.
“She seems fine and had a nice lob around the turf track. She moved very smoothly and certainly knew her way around the place,” Gosden said.
“I’m pleased to see that the weather has brightened up, as it was cloudy and rainy over the past couple of days.
“I admit we are taking a bold step going for the championship race (Turf) but we thought ‘be bold and aim for it’. Everyone involved lent towards the Turf and we are here after preparations for the Arc and Champion Stakes didn’t work out, owing to the inclement weather.
“It’s a good, strong field and I have a lot of respect for Point Of Entry, who is a fine big horse, but our filly is in tremendous shape and we thought ‘let’s go for the big one’.
“A mile and a quarter and a mile and a half seem to come the same to this filly and if it is a fast track that will be fine.”
There is a chance that if The Fugue acquits herself well at the weekend she could have one more outing this year, at the Hong Kong International meeting.
