Coolmore filly Minnie Hauk has emerged as a clear favourite after the barrier draw for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Europe’s richest race.
A daughter of Frankel, Minnie Hauk, will start from the inside barrier under replacement jockey Christophe Soumillon as trainer Adian O’Brien chases his third Arc success.
Soumillon takes over from the injured Ryan Moore with Minnie Hauk holding favouritism as a $5 chance.
Minnie Hauk has put together a five-win sequence that includes victories in the Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks.
With rain forecast on Friday and Saturday, the Arc is almost certain to be decided on soft ground.
Japan, which has come agonisingly to an Arc breakthrough with four seconds in the $A9 million race, has three entrants - Byzantine Dream, Croix Du Nord and Alohi Ahii.