Treve© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve are confident the brilliant mare remains at the peak of her powers ahead of her highly anticipated return to action in the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud on Friday.
After a stunning display in Europe's premier middle-distance event two seasons ago, Criquette Head-Maarek's pride and joy endured a largely disappointing campaign last year before brilliantly bouncing back to form to defend her crown at Longchamp.
The five-year-old was set to go to stud, but owners Al Shaqab Racing sportingly decided to bring her back into training in the hope she can become the first horse to win the Arc three times.
Harry Herbert, Al Shaqab racing manager, said: "Treve is in fantastic form. I saw her last week and she looked absolutely terrific.
"She's fuller than she was last year and is moving beautifully, seeming to have retained all her old zest.
"Provided she's straight enough and she's done enough work-wise, which I'm sure she has, hopefully she'll give a really good account of herself.
"It's wonderful having her for this attempt for a third Arc. Everything that goes on at this time of year is a bonus as she's a proper autumn filly.
"It seems to be that she thrives later on in the year but, I have to say, there is a different look about her right now than perhaps I saw in the spring of last year.
"She had a little back issue and some foot issues (last season), but she seems really well and the way she's moving and striding out is impressive.
"I know Thierry Jarnet (jockey) couldn't have been happier with her the other day and was all smiles.
"She's a remarkable racehorse and it's just so exciting for everybody to see her back on the track."
Should all go according to plan, Treve is likely to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the end of June before a mid-season break.
"At the moment, it's a four-race campaign - (Prix Corrida), Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Vermeille and then the Arc," Herbert told At The Races.
