Horse racing news Monday 14th May 2018
We have a lot to look forward to in the coming days and weeks. This week trainer Clive Cox unleashes his 'once-in-a-lifetime horse' the Godolphin owned Harry Angel in Wednesday's Group 2 Duke of York Stakes on the Knavesmire.
It has also been announced that Cracksman will be rerouted to the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup on Oaks day on 1st June adding some more star quality to the Derby meeting. Trainer John Gosden said: "Following discussions over the weekend with Mr Oppenheimer it has been decided to route Cracksman to the Coronation Cup. He's come out of his win in France in great shape and should have no worries about going back up to a mile and a half." He's no bad substitute for the injured Enable.
Talking of Epsom Aiden O'Brien has been speaking about his red-hot Derby favourite Saxon Warrior saying "We thought a mile at Newmarket was going to be a lovely start off for him. Obviously, we were very happy with him. Everything's good so far. We could not have been happier with Saxon because there's an awful lot of improvement to come. It'll be exciting to see.” I honestly think he will be better over the distance and this could be some horse. Could he go for the Triple crown?
Another Ballydoyle inmate, Dee Stakes winner Rostropovich, looks likely to be having a trip across the Channel O’Brien saying "I thought that maybe the horse from Chester might go to the French Derby and something might go with him."
Sadly Wuheida, winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last season and a member of my Dirty Dozen for this year, has been retired following the recurrence of old injuries. She had looked as good as ever on her seasonal return at Newmarket's Guineas meeting earlier this month when running away with the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes but that will be her last appearance on a race track. Charlie Appleby told the Godolphin website "It's unfortunate, but she has a few niggling injury worries that have resurfaced in the past few days, and after discussing it with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed we have decided to retire her."