Racing
Enable vs Love – Who would win?
With Love’s recent jaw-dropping victories drawing more and more plaudits as well as the commendable return of fan favourite Enable, the media and racing public have begun to discuss a possible match-up between the two Queens of flat racing. No doubt the race would be an amazing spectacle but the most important question is, who would win in an Enable vs Love contest?
Enable vs Love: Who would win?
Love
Aiden O’Brien’s filly returned to racing in emphatic style when landing the QIPCO 1000 Guineas before relishing the step up to 1m4f with a demolition job in the Investec Oaks. The three-year-old has proven that the experience she gained in h
er debut season has been paramount to her successes, settling quickly amongst the pack and professionally picking up when asked for more by jockey Ryan Moore.
Love is clearly on a steep upwards curve and possesses a superb turn of foot that can put to bed the toughest of Group One’s in a few flicks of the reigns, as she continues to improve you can only ever see her winning more and more top races.
Enable
Racing’s iconic duo of Frankie Dettori and Enable could only manage second on their return in the Coral Eclipse, eventually beaten by the powerful, front-running Ghaiyyath. However, owner John Gosden did say that he felt his mare was only 80% fit for the race so a second placed finish to a fully fit 126-rated colt is no disgrace.
Last year Enable was moments away from landing her third consecutive L’Arc De Triumph before a determined ride from Pierre-Charles Boudot on Waldgeist caught the numerous Group 1 winner in the closing strides, shocking racing fans around the world. The 6-year-old is a very strong traveller and rarely needs nudging along until the closing stages of the race due to how well she match the speed of her opposition, even when they are off the bridle.
Enable vs Love – Comparison
It would be fair to say that, if the pair do go head-to-head, the contest will draw in huge viewing figures, especially as the battles would surely take place in the Arc which consistently draws worldwide viewers.
The pair are completely different types of runners and it would be as much a physical battle as much as a tactical one. Enable is most certainly the better traveller and she can move through the gears more impressively and pick off her opponents one by one as she weaves her way through the pack.
This is quite different to Love’s style, who likes to sit near the front of the pack and then, when asked for more, quickens off the rest and lengthens away. Enable does lack a true change of gear, instead she relies on her stamina to outstay the opposition, which could prove costly against a horse with one of the best turns of foot in the business.
It is hard to compare Love’s staying ability, considering her furthest ever trip is 1m4f where she won going away. However, based on experience you’d find it hard to believe that Enable couldn’t outstay her.
Also, it is important to note that Enable is three years older than Love. It would be a relevant factor in the contest as Enable’s career is at its peak if not slightly past it, whereas Love is still young, sprightly and has her best years still to come. The experience of performing in front of the greatest crowds is invaluable though and Enable has that in abundance, whereas Love’s two most impressive victories have come without a single fan in the stand.
There is a distincy chance that Love could freeze when racing in front of a hustle and bustle of the very biggest crowds but it would be impossible to know whether she could hold her nerve until the time comes.
Enable vs Love – Verdict
It only seems right to judge a battle between Enable and Love in conditions which they like and over a trip that the pair are likely to come to blows in, 1m4f on good ground.
Personally, with the rate that Love is improving, I can only see her lengthening away from Enable. Her performance in the Oaks was far too impressive to overlook, even if Enable is racing with 100% fitness.
Any race featuring Enable will always be a fantastic spectacle and the Italian magician Frankie Dettori knows how to get the best out of her. However, in the dying stages of a race, even if Enable was out in front, I think the kick-on from Love would prove too strong.
So, my prediction would be Love to win with a few lengths in hand. Either way, it would be a brilliant race to watch and it’s tough to imagine the bookmakers would be able to split the pair.
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