French challenger Simca Mille could swerve the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Qipco Stakes at Ascot in favour of a run in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin. The colt is currently available at 25/1 for Saturday’s feature race.
Trainer Stephane Wattel is concerned about the potential of soft ground conditions, which would not see Simca Mille to best effect. Although the four-year-old finished second in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan on very soft ground in April, his best form has come on ground that is good-to-soft or firmer. The son of Mutamayez was visually impressive when winning the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly by three-and-a-half lengths on good ground at the start of June.
"The ground might be a concern. A final decision will be made on Thursday morning.
"We have prepared toward this race for a long time. I know the competition is very, very high and it will be a fantastic race.
"I don't mind competing with the very difficult competition – if the horses are better, then they are better – but I want to have the best conditions for my horse to handle correctly, which at the moment is a concern.
"It is going to be a fantastic race and it will be great for the public and fun for all the sportsmen to see such good horses, but for Simca Mille, he needs fast ground and I doubt we will get fast ground.
"It is difficult to put a percentage on it, and I don't want to say too much about it. A final decision will be made on Thursday morning. I am not the only one [to make the decision].
"He is entered in the Grosser Preis von Berlin [Hoppegarten on August 13] in Germany, which is a Group One, but I would say I will be very happy, even if it is only a Group Two, he has the Grand Prix de Deauville [August 27], which for a Deauville-based trainer is an important race also.
"He has had fantastic results at Longchamp, so we will keep an eye on the Arc, if the ground is suitable for him.
"My concern is to have too difficult a race in the King George and leave his race there, on ground that is not his optimum."
The Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth II Qipco or the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin will be Simca Mille's first run outside of France.
