Bay City Roller set for ParisLongchamp outing ahead of Arc bid
Connections of Bay City Roller are mulling a run in the Prix Foy at ParisLongchamp on Arc Trials day as a stepping stone towards an autumn campaign culminating in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Form and absence
The New Bay colt, trained by George Scott, has not raced since an emphatic victory in the Coronation Cup in early June, when he prevailed by a wide margin. Plans for further summer appearances were disrupted by unusually firm ground, which prompted his team to keep him off the racecourse while they awaited more suitable conditions.
Prix Foy on the radar
With the Arc Trials card at ParisLongchamp scheduled for September 6, Bay City Roller’s connections view the Prix Foy as a logical reappearance if the ground in France proves favourable. The race would offer a live run against potential Arc contenders and allow the horse to be assessed on track prior to any final decision on an autumn campaign.
Route to the Arc
While the Irish Champion Stakes represents an alternative option, the prevailing thread from the owner group is that the priority remains the Arc. The team have indicated that any choice of reappearance will be governed principally by ground conditions and the longer-term objective of preparing the horse for a bid in October.
Stable perspective
Scott’s yard report that recent pieces of work have been encouraging, and the colt has returned to the gallops in good order. The emphasis now is on careful placement and selecting a race that will both suit the horse and help fine-tune him for the peak target of the season.
Related stable news: Mrair setback
Victorious Racing’s other high-profile prospect Mrair was withdrawn from the Gimcrack Stakes at York’s Ebor Festival after a late issue emerged. The colt was taken out of the race and is undergoing further assessment; connections say they will give him time to recover while monitoring the situation.
Looking ahead
Bay City Roller’s potential appearance in the Prix Foy would be watched closely by racegoers and industry participants as an early pointer to the Arc market and form lines among the leading middle-distance horses. With the Coronation Cup performance still fresh in the memory, a return to action in September would answer questions about his readiness for the autumn’s flagship events.
Connections will continue to factor in ground and the horse’s condition when confirming any entry, with the priority to preserve his chances for the season’s ultimate target.
