Jim Goldie favouring Ascot date for American Affair
However, a setback in the days after Ascot put plans on hold for the five-year-old and he is still only in light work, which makes Goldie think he should target just one race.
'We're still in pre-season mode with him, if that makes sense, we're planning towards October time so we've eight to 10 weeks,' said Goldie.
'We haven't made a final decision about America yet, but I think it's more likely that we go to Ascot with him as I don't want to do both as that would mean rushing him.
'Obviously the Ascot race is six furlongs and he might just be a five-furlong specialist, but if he's not that's another string to his bow.'
Goldie finished second in the 2012 British Champions Sprint with Hawkeyethenoo while Jack Dexter was beaten just a neck the following year, so the handler is eager to finally secure the title.
'The point about Ascot is I've seen it, been there and done it but not quite won it! I've come close a few times and we've had horses run well there whereas going halfway around the world, it could be too firm for him,' he said.
'The option is there next year if we need it. We know how his form is stacking up as the horse we beat easy twice this year (Jm Jungle) is now going for the Nunthorpe after winning at Goodwood.
'I do like Champions Day. Jack Dexter won the race after Frankel there but nobody remembers as everyone was still talking about Frankel!
'I had it in my head we were going to America but I wanted a prep-race and I could only see two. The Ayr Gold Cup or Ascot, and Ascot was only 10 days or so before.
'I spoke to Tadhg O'Shea who rides all over the world and he said you want to ideally get them over there in plenty of time to acclimatise, so it then became one or the other so that's where we are. I'd think it's Ascot but I'll sit on the fence as long as I can.'
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Glasgow Times
6 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Jim Goldie favouring Ascot date for American Affair
The King Charles III Stakes victor was one of the most popular winners at Royal Ascot and had Goldie dreaming of a trip to America. However, a setback in the days after Ascot put plans on hold for the five-year-old and he is still only in light work, which makes Goldie think he should target just one race. 'We're still in pre-season mode with him, if that makes sense, we're planning towards October time so we've eight to 10 weeks,' said Goldie. 'We haven't made a final decision about America yet, but I think it's more likely that we go to Ascot with him as I don't want to do both as that would mean rushing him. 'Obviously the Ascot race is six furlongs and he might just be a five-furlong specialist, but if he's not that's another string to his bow.' Goldie finished second in the 2012 British Champions Sprint with Hawkeyethenoo while Jack Dexter was beaten just a neck the following year, so the handler is eager to finally secure the title. 'The point about Ascot is I've seen it, been there and done it but not quite won it! I've come close a few times and we've had horses run well there whereas going halfway around the world, it could be too firm for him,' he said. 'The option is there next year if we need it. We know how his form is stacking up as the horse we beat easy twice this year (Jm Jungle) is now going for the Nunthorpe after winning at Goodwood. 'I do like Champions Day. Jack Dexter won the race after Frankel there but nobody remembers as everyone was still talking about Frankel! 'I had it in my head we were going to America but I wanted a prep-race and I could only see two. The Ayr Gold Cup or Ascot, and Ascot was only 10 days or so before. 'I spoke to Tadhg O'Shea who rides all over the world and he said you want to ideally get them over there in plenty of time to acclimatise, so it then became one or the other so that's where we are. I'd think it's Ascot but I'll sit on the fence as long as I can.'
Rhyl Journal
8 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Wesley Ward ‘excited' to mount Morny challenge with Outfielder
The Speightstown colt made a huge impression on his racecourse debut at Churchill Downs in May and looked tailor-made to add to Ward's tally of a dozen winners at Royal Ascot. However, he was ruled out of the the trip to Britain following a late setback and for the first time in a decade his trainer did not have a runner at the summer showpiece meeting in Berkshire. But two months on, Ward is gunning for more Group One glory on European soil in a race he has previously won with No Nay Never (2013), Lady Aurelia (2016) and Campanelle (2020). 'Outfielder left Keeneland yesterday (Wednesday), so away we go,' he said. 'He's flying right now, doing great and everything is wonderful. He's had some excellent morning breezes and I'm so excited to get this guy going. 'He won bounding away on his only start. It was a little bit of a rush job to get him to Ascot and he told us he hadn't quite recovered from his first effort to be ready for his next, but now he's ready.' No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle had all struck Royal Ascot gold before following up at Deauville and while Ward admits Outfielder lacks that high-level match practice, he feels there is some upside in the fact he will line up fresh. 'He doesn't have quite the experience the others did because the others had two runs. They'd all run at home and run at Ascot,' the trainer added. 'This horse does have a bit better spacing in that all the others came back to America after Ascot and then had to travel again back to France, so he's got better spacing from race to race. 'His last workout was an eye-opener at Keeneland. He worked in company with a horse called Longshoreman, who is out of Lady Pauline, who actually ran at Ascot in a race prior to the Royal meeting a few years ago and finished second. 'Longshoreman finished second on his debut at Keeneland and then bounded away by many lengths, just like Outfielder did, so when we worked them together last week I was kind of unsure what would happen, but Outfielder just ran away from him. 'He would relish fast ground, that's for sure. It's always a question mark at Deauville, but right now he's doing great and we're excited about running him.' Ward is named as a part-owner of Outfielder alongside Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing operation and former professional baseball player Jayson Werth, who is set to make the trip to France. Ward, who also confirmed Amo Racing's retained rider David Egan is set to be on board, said: 'Jayson is a wonderful guy and it's great to have a great sportsman like him be involved in such a nice horse. We're excited about that as well.'
South Wales Guardian
8 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Jim Goldie favouring Ascot date for American Affair
The King Charles III Stakes victor was one of the most popular winners at Royal Ascot and had Goldie dreaming of a trip to America. However, a setback in the days after Ascot put plans on hold for the five-year-old and he is still only in light work, which makes Goldie think he should target just one race. 'We're still in pre-season mode with him, if that makes sense, we're planning towards October time so we've eight to 10 weeks,' said Goldie. 'We haven't made a final decision about America yet, but I think it's more likely that we go to Ascot with him as I don't want to do both as that would mean rushing him. 'Obviously the Ascot race is six furlongs and he might just be a five-furlong specialist, but if he's not that's another string to his bow.' Goldie finished second in the 2012 British Champions Sprint with Hawkeyethenoo while Jack Dexter was beaten just a neck the following year, so the handler is eager to finally secure the title. 'The point about Ascot is I've seen it, been there and done it but not quite won it! I've come close a few times and we've had horses run well there whereas going halfway around the world, it could be too firm for him,' he said. 'The option is there next year if we need it. We know how his form is stacking up as the horse we beat easy twice this year (Jm Jungle) is now going for the Nunthorpe after winning at Goodwood. 'I do like Champions Day. Jack Dexter won the race after Frankel there but nobody remembers as everyone was still talking about Frankel! 'I had it in my head we were going to America but I wanted a prep-race and I could only see two. The Ayr Gold Cup or Ascot, and Ascot was only 10 days or so before. 'I spoke to Tadhg O'Shea who rides all over the world and he said you want to ideally get them over there in plenty of time to acclimatise, so it then became one or the other so that's where we are. I'd think it's Ascot but I'll sit on the fence as long as I can.'
