Khalid Abdullah’s Pretty Polly S. (Ire-G1) scorer PROMISING LEAD (Danehill)
has been ruled out of Saturday’s Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood after suffering
a setback. The owner-breeder’s Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe announced Monday
that the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old had injured a knee in a work
and that PASSAGE OF TIME (GB) (Dansili [GB]) would be the stable’s sole
representative.
“She just tweaked a knee after she worked so well on Saturday,” he told PA
Sport. “It doesn’t look like it will keep her out for long, or that it is
anything serious, but there is a little bit of heat there. We have decided not
to risk her and she will go straight to York for the (August 21) Yorkshire Oaks
(Eng-G1) now. We hope Passage of Time is a useful substitute and she showed last
time that she is still capable.”
Trainer Jim Bolger has left in his Coronation S. (Eng-G1) heroine LUSH LASHES
(Galileo [Ire]) in the 10-furlong contest, while Aidan O’Brien has five fillies
remaining, headed by Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier’s Irish One
Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) winner HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (Pivotal). Cheveley Park Stud
look set to be represented by the Falmouth S. (Eng-G1) third HEAVEN SENT
(Pivotal), while Patricia and David Thompson’s operation withdrew the James
Fanshawe-trained One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) runner-up SPACIOUS (Nayef) at
Monday’s five-day stage.
“I believe Spacious is fine in herself, but she just isn’t sparkling, the
Stud’s Managing Director Chris Richardson told PA Sport. “We have taken the
long-term view and are not going to rush her back. James will freshen her up and
get her ready for an autumn campaign.”
Elsewhere, His Highness the Aga Khan’s MONTMARTRE (Montjeu [Ire]) is rated
“doubtful” for the October 5 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) at Longchamp
after reportedly returning sore from his win in the July 14 Grand Prix de Paris
(Fr-G1).
“He won brilliantly, but he wasn’t okay after the race,” trainer Alain de
Royer-Dupre told sportinglife.com Monday. “The ground was very firm and he came
back a little bit sore.
“Maybe he still runs in the Arc, but at this stage I am not sure.”
Montmartre propelled himself to early favoritism for the Fall highlight with
his four-length victory over the same course and distance and his conditioner
told the Racing Post, “The Grand Prix was run in a very fast time and on
very fast ground and the race has left its mark.”
Meanwhile, the news out of Ireland Monday was not good for trainer John
Murphy as he failed in his appeal to reinstate TUSCAN EVENING (Oasis Dream [GB])
to the runner-up spot in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1). Hubie de
Burgh’s maiden was disqualified and placed fourth by the Curragh stewards after
the May 25 classic and the Irish Turf Club upheld that decision.
“They felt that interference did take place and that in causing the
interference Tuscan Evening had improved her placing with regard to Carribean
Sunset (Ire) (Danehill Dancer),” the organization’s Press Officer Cliff Noone
explained.