When last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) conqueror Enable was sidelined by a knee issue in May, fans could question her status ahead of a title defense in the October 7 championship. But after a persuasive return in Saturday’s September (G3) at Kempton, the Juddmonte homebred put herself right back into contention.
Unraced since her Arc heroics, Enable had more than the 11-month absence to overcome. The John Gosden filly also found a serious rival in Crystal Ocean, hero of the Hardwicke (G2) at Royal Ascot and last seen missing by a neck in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1). The Enable of 2017 would surely repel him, but what about the four-year-old in need of a race? Gosden logically left a bit to work with, intending for the 1 1/2-mile September to bring her on fitness-wise. Might Crystal Ocean take advantage of any ring-rustiness, despite conceding Enable a hefty eight pounds?
Enable, the 8-15 favorite, left no room for doubt. Regular rider Frankie Dettori let her use her tactical speed in the small four-horse field, and she held sway at every call. Crystal Ocean stalked in second for the duration, trying to make a race of it entering the stretch, but was unable to lift enough to threaten Enable. Pulling away again in the closing stages, the champion filly had 3 1/2 lengths to spare at the wire. Her time on Polytrack labeled “standard to slow” was 2:30.57.
The remaining two were never in it. Seventeen lengths behind Crystal Ocean came the 66-1 Cribbs Causeway, who bested 100-1 Peak Princess for the Group 3-placing. Enable’s stablemate Weekender, most recently runner-up in the August 25 Ebor, was scratched.
ENABLE is back! 👏 pic.twitter.com/DZPoV0B3qQ
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) September 8, 2018
“Awesome!” – @FrankieDettori reflects on Enable’s performance @kemptonparkrace.
All roads lead to the Arc now!
Results https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/s08NTrvOMc
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) September 8, 2018
Now eight-for-nine lifetime, Enable extended her winning streak to seven. Five of those laurels came in Group 1s, from turning the Epsom/Irish Oaks (G1) double to beating her elders in the King George, Yorkshire Oaks (G1), and Arc at its temporary home of Chantilly. The daughter of Nathaniel promises to make her presence felt as the defending champion at the revamped ParisLongchamp.
Gosden swept both Group 3s on the card, with Kessaar springing a 9-1 upset in the Sirenia (G3) for juveniles. The Kodiac colt continued his improvement after donning a hood. Romping by 10 lengths at Windsor in his first try in the headgear, he was sixth in a Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy that did not appear a true bill. He flubbed the start and reportedly couldn’t get his bearings on the undulating track. Kessaar put things right at Kempton, mowing down Junius Brutus to power 2 1/2 lengths clear and hand jockey Kieran O’Neill a first Group win.
It’s a first Group success for jockey Kieran O’Neill as he guides Kessaar to success in the Sirenia Stakes @kemptonparkrace.
Results https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/fpIetP5FDJ
— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) September 8, 2018
