Emily Dickinson© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O’Brien relies on Emily Dickinson as he bids to win back-to-back runnings of the Qatar Prix du Cadran.
Twelve months ago, the Ballydoyle trainer watched on in delight as his superstar stayer Kyprios produced a performance of absolute domination in the Group One feature over a searching two and a half miles.
An injury-hit campaign has only recently seen Kyprios back on a racecourse and he will not be in Paris on this occasion, instead waiting for the Long Distance Cup on Qipco British Champions Day.
Emily Dickinson steps up to the plate in his absence, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle as Ryan Moore is in Newmarket.
A consistent campaign has seen the daughter of Dubawi finish fourth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and second to runaway winner Quickthorn in the Goodwood Cup.
“We’ll run Emily Dickinson in the Cadran, she’s in good form,” O’Brien said.
“Obviously, she had a good run in the Gold Cup and we’re pleased with her.
“We think the trip will suit her and any ease in the ground will suit her as well.”
Emily Dickinson was also entered for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and connections may have been tempted by the race had the ground ended up much softer, as is usually the case at Longchamp in autumn.
“We were thinking about it (the Arc), if the ground had come up soft or heavy we probably would have had a good, strong think about it,” O’Brien told Sky Sports Racing.
“For as long as I can remember, most of the time the ground has been soft or even heavy on Arc weekend. If that was the case we definitely would have thought hard about it, she has form on good ground as well but she is better with more ease in the ground and we thought over the Cadran trip she would be more comfortable.
“She does stay very well and she seems in good form. I think when she ran in the Gold Cup she ran very well, even though the ground was quick she didn’t have any problems with it.”
Trueshan’s return to winning ways in the Doncaster Cup was one of the many highlights of the St Leger meeting.
It was just the third run of the year for Alan King’s hugely-popular gelding, who had been off since disappointing in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot back in May, after which he had wind surgery.
He won this race in 2021 and is again partnered by Hollie Doyle before heading to Ascot on Champions Day.
Last year’s Cesarewitch winner Run For Oscar takes his chance for Charles Byrnes, with Skazino, Moon Wolf and Vert Liberte completing the line-up.
