The weekly TRC digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week
Luxembourg to spearhead Aidan O’Brien’s Classic team
Ireland: Aidan O’Brien has identified Vertem Futurity winner Luxembourg as his leading hope for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and Cazoo Derby after the Camelot colt was one of a number of his Ballydoyle team to work after racing at the Curragh last weekend. "We were all very happy with his work at the Curragh over the weekend and he’ll go straight to the 2000 Guineas," said O'Brien.
However, he added there wasn’t much between Luxembourg and Point Lonsdale in their recent workout and the latter will also run in the Newmarket colts’ Classic, which O’Brien has already won ten times. "You’d hope both of them will stay the Derby trip too." added the trainer.
Cheveley Park Stakes winner Tenebrism will be the stable’s main challenger for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.
UAE Derby winner Crown Pride set for Kentucky
Japan: UAE Derby winner Crown Pride will not return to Japan but head straight to Churchill Downs from Dubai to be prepared for the Kentucky Derby.
The Teruya Yoshida-owned and -bred colt earned 100 points at Meydan to secure his place in the field for America’s greatest race – and he could be joined by runner-up Summer Is Tomorrow, whose connections have paid the $6,000 late entry fee. The latter represents UAE champion trainer-elect Bhupat Seemar.
UAE 2,000 Guineas winner Azure Coast, who finished ninth in the UAE Derby, was also among the seven late nominees.
In Britain, Godolphin’s Blue Trail has a chance to take his points haul to 50 in the $131,000 Woodford Reserve Cardinal Stakes at Chelmsford racecourse which races for the first time since having to close as a result of damage caused by Storm Eunice in February.
The Charlie Appleby-trained colt won the Kempton leg of the Road to Kentucky Derby series from Harrow and Find, who are also among the six-runner field on Thursday [March 31].
World #2 Efforia returns to action on Sunday
Japan: Efforia, who stands at #2 on TRC Global Rankings, will stake a claim to move to the top of the global pecking order on Sunday [April 3] when the four-year-old makes his seasonal debut in the Osaka Hai, a G1 event over 1m2f worth ¥432 million ($3.5m/£2.7m) at Hanshin.
The four-year-old is Japan’s reigning Horse of the Year following victory in the Arima Kinen, the nation’s joint-richest race alongside the Japan Cup. He has been beaten only once – when he was touched off by subsequent Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar in last year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby).
Efforia stands only two points behind Dubai World Cup disappointment Life Is Good on TRC’s Global Rankings as he returns to action on Sunday against rivals headed by last year’s winner Lei Papale.
Royal Ascot likely for Japan’s Dubai winners
Japan: All-conquering trainer Yoshito Yahagi has his sights set on Royal Ascot after his treble on last weekend’s Dubai World Cup card.
Yahagi, who made history with his Breeders’ Cup double at Del Mar in November, was also on the mark at Hong Kong’s International meeting and the Saudi Cup undercard.
Now he is eyeing Britain’s most prestigious card, with Dubai Gold Cup winner Stay Foolish and Panthalassa, who dead-heated with Lord North in the Dubai Turf.
Of Stay Foolish, Yahagi said: “My dream would be to go to Royal Ascot for the Gold Cup but I would need to speak with the owner first.”
Panthalassa may be in line fo the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. “We’d like to head to Royal Ascot,” said Yahagi. “In the past he’s run well on softer ground, so taking him over to Europe is high on his to-do list,” said Yahagi.
Meanwhile, Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar is likely to be campaigned with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in mind according to trainer Hideaki Fujiwara.
Kentucky Derby hopes leave Bob Baffert barn
USA: With Bob Baffert fighting the suspension that prevents him having runners in the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, the controversial trainer has moved his best three-year-olds to other barns to ensure they have the chance to compete at Churchill Downs.
Leading colts Messier, Doppelganger and McLaren Vale have joined Baffert’s former assistant Tim Yakteen, while and Blackadder has moved to the barn of Rodolphe Brisset. The filly Adare Manor will also be trained by Yakteen.
Elsewhere in racing …
Australia: Racing Australia chairman John Messara quits after less than a year More here
USA: Golden Pal heads five Breeders’ Cup winners set for Keeneland’s opening weekend More here
NZ: Champion trainer Jamie Richards signs off with a winner More here
Canada: Death of Eugene Melnyk, leading owner-breeder who raced Speightstown More here
UAE: Trainer Kareem Ramadan banned for one year over cobalt positive More here
What’s been happening: Dubai latest, big Covid fines in HK, Guineas entries and more …
What’s been happening: 14-month ban for Oisin Murphy, Medina Spirit's Kentucky Derby DQ and more …
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