Delight as Breeders’ Cup runners draw well
J A McGrath, 31 October 2017
Godolphin flagship Ribchester has drawn gate 10 for Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar, the outstanding four-year-old’s scheduled swan song on the racetrack.
It means jockey William Buick will have the majority of the field on his inside as he manoeuvres to take up his early position in the first quarter-mile.
Home Of The Brave, the Hugo Palmer-trained Godolphin entry, is drawn on Ribchester’s immediate inside in gate 9.
Meanwhile Charlie Appleby has expressed his delight that Masar drew 6 in Friday’s 14-runner G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
“I couldn’t be happier with the draw, and I am very pleased with Masar’s preparation for his race,” Appleby said.
“He’s got the right profile for the Juvenile Turf. He’s a strong traveller and he will see out the (one mile) trip.
“At Chantilly (when 3rd in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere), it was our fault that he got a bit keen early. He was lit up, and they were testing (ground) conditions that day.
“But he has shipped over well and settled in. What we want now is a straightforward week with him, and I’m sure he will acquit himself well,” he added.
The Appleby-trained Wuheida drew 5 in Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
The filly missed a scheduled engagement in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Keeneland on October 14 after developing a corn in her foot. She remained in Kentucky before being shipped to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup week.
“I think she can run a big race,” was Appleby’s summing up.
Meanwhile, the Andre Fabre-trained Talismanic drew the inside gate, no 1, in Saturday’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Ribchester set for Del Mar finale in BC Mile
J A McGrath, 26 October 2017
Ribchester is poised to end his illustrious racing career with a crack at the G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on November 4 before retirement to Kildangan Stud as a Darleystallion.
The Godolphin flagship was given the green light to travel by trainer Richard Fahey after a routine workout on his home gallops at Malton, North Yorkshire, on Thursday.
It will be only 14 days between Ribchester’s gallant second to Persuasive in Ascot’s QEII on soft ground and his Breeders’ Cup assignment, which will almost certainly take place on a fast surface. William Buick will again take the ride.
Fahey is not concerned about the short gap between races.
“He has kept his coat, he looks a picture, and clearly, he wants to go,” Fahey said.
“He has done everything but tell me himself that he should be on the plane to California.
“I’m very happy with him. He’s in great order,” he added.
Ribchester has been described by Fahey as having a remarkable constitution. ”He’s very tough,” he said.
The four-year-old son of Iffraaj goes into his last race with an impressive record of six wins, five seconds and three thirds, from 15 starts. If toughness is one trade mark, consistency is the other.
The Breeders’ Cup in America marks the fourth country in which he will have competed and the 11th G1 race of his career.
fonte : Godolphin
