Goldikova Set for Prix De La Foret

With only a 50% strike rate during 2011, it seems as though Goldikova just hasn't really looked herself this year having lost out to Canford Cliffs (who was retired after chasing Frankel) and the well-regarded Immortal Verse. Both losses were just by a length and it either shows a six-year-old mare who is starting to feel her age or it comes from a yard who is uniquely focused on two races at the end of the season – the Prix De La Foret and the Breeders' Cup Mile.

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The living-legend Goldikova has now earned well over £4,000,000 lifetime and could be set to take that tally to £5,000,000 if she can pull off a double.

She took the 2010 iteration of this contest but was beaten over course and distance by Varenar in 2009 before going on to take the Breeders' Cup Mile over Courageous Cat at Santa Anita. She has won the Mile an unprecedented three times on the bounce and, barring injury or complications, will be contesting it for the fourth time this year as she eyes a permanent place in history.

An impressive group of challengers is lining up for the Prix De La Foret and they include Dream Ahead, Bewitched and Worthadd. The key variable appears to be Dream Ahead and that's the only contender trading at a plausible price floating anywhere from 9/4 to 10/3. Goldikova looks beatable this year and that's likely why she's only trading at 4/5 with most major bookmakers.

The going looks as though it will suit Goldikova and her ability to flourish late in the season means that she definitely deserves the backing that she will get. 14 Group/Grade 1's in a single career is an amazing feat and the Longchamp specialist will be looking to make that 16 by years end.