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Epsom Oaks sixth Heartache Tonight looks set for a summer break following her Betfred Oaks sixth last week and the filly could be aimed at French targets for the remainder of the season.
Epsom Oaks sixth Heartache Tonight looks set for a summer break following her Betfred Oaks sixth last week and the filly could be aimed at French targets for the remainder of the season.
Heartache Tonight went into many notebooks last October when making a winning debut at Longchamp, with an impressive two and a half length success in a 1m 1f maiden. The daughter of Recorder was not disgraced on her first attempt at the top level when a close fourth, beaten less than two lengths, in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary over 1m 2f last month.
Last week's effort at Epsom Downs on good to firm was the fastest conditions she has experienced to date.
The Chris Wright and Andy MacDonald owned filly is a half-sister to top class mare, Wonderful Tonight (two-time Group 1 winner on soft ground at Longchamp and Ascot).
Trainer David Menuisier explained her Epsom performance in further detail and her plans for the rest of the year:
"I can't say she didn't handle the course or the ground, because she came down the hill beautifully and what have you. She is not jarred up or anything.
"She is like her sister – when they run on that ground, they don't find the gears that do they when running on soft.
"They do quicken, but they don't quicken as much as the rest of them. On soft they do find the gears, on this [good to firm] ground, you can't say they don't handle it, they are just a stone below. Cristian looked after her as well.
"She won't go to the Ribblesdale, she will have a mini-break and we will prepare her for the autumn.
"It's always been the plan. The Oaks we needed to try, just in case. But we have always said she is a filly for the autumn really.
"The main thing we are focussed on is the Arc. She will have to prove she is worthy of that. She has always looked like she needs a mile and a half. She is bred for an Arc – and I'm due one as well!"