Juddmonte Targets Arc With Kalpana

Juddmonte will rely solely on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) and Yorkshire Oaks (G1) winner Kalpana (GB) in the Oct. 4 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), with the breeding behemoth revealing International Stakes (G1) hero Item (GB) is finished for the season while its other fancied runner, Prix Vermeille (G1) third Sunly (GB), will instead be aimed at the Prix de Royallieu (G1). Kalpana, who finished seventh in last year's edition of Europe's richest race, beaten 7 lengths, has looked a better horse this year and in doubling her career tally of group 1 wins has earned prices ranging from 6-1 to 8-1 for the Arc. The mare defeated males in this year's King George. "The owners plan on running Kalpana, she'll be our sole representative this year," said Juddmonte's general manager of European racing Barry Mahon. Mahon admitted the Arc had been one of three long-range targets for the Andrew Balding-trained 5-year-old since the start of the campaign and added: "We had to hope from 4 to 5 she retained all her ability, which I think she has proven during the year. She may even be operating at a higher level than last year. "Once we answered the question that she had the Arc and British Champions day at Ascot, which she's won twice, became two of her main targets for the year, along with the King George. She's managed to tick the first box, and we're hoping that she can get another one or two ticked before the end of the season." Item won the International at York Racecourse in grinding fashion, but was a disappointing sixth of eight in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) earlier this month. Mahon said Item could be targeted for longer races next season. "He's finished for the season. He came out of Leopardstown fine," he said. "I think Colin (Keane, jockey) felt we probably just ran him back a little quick and he felt a bit flat on the day. I think he hit the line well that day, pointing that maybe a step up and trip would suit him. "So we've decided to put him away for the season and let him mature and start him off next year and hopefully get a good long campaign in him next year, over 10 and 12 furlongs." On Sunly, who will step up in trip to 1 3/4 miles, he added: "She'll go for the Royallieu. It was a tough call there, I think the owners had a couple of hard decisions to make during the week. Kalpana has done nothing wrong all year and we wanted to give her a shot at (the Arc). And with Sunly, we felt she'll stay the extra trip, so she'll tackle the Royallieu."