GEORGE DUCKS BIG REMATCH
THE eagerly-awaited rematch of the heavyweights is off after connections of Order Of St George decided not to take on Big Orange in next month’s Qatar Goodwood Cup.
Many considered Order Of St George was unlucky at Royal Ascot when he was a short-head second to Big Orange in the Gold Cup, but unfortunately we will never know.
Aidan O’Brien, who trains Order Of St George, said: “He’s having a little bit of a midsummer break.
“I expect we will now aim him at the Irish St Leger. U S Army Ranger is probably going to run in the race, that’s the plan.”
Frankie Dettori, denied the ride on Big Orange at Ascot after injuring his shoulder, will be back in the saddle at Goodwood.
“Obviously, I was bit sad I was not riding Big Orange at Ascot,” said Dettori. “I spoke to James (Doyle) who rode him in the Gold Cup, it kept me involved with the race.
“I’ve struck up a very good partnership with the horse. He’s won the Goodwood Cup twice and I’m really looking forward to getting back on him. The key to ® him is that I hope it will be a ‘Glorious Goodwood’ because if we get rain it will ruin his chances.”
Dettori, who rode his first winner at Goodwood on Lizzy Hare in June 1987, not surprisingly has fond memories of the Sussex track, where he has now ridden 193 winners.
The popular Italian admits it is a difficult course to ride and believes the hardest decision he will have to make at Goodwood will be deciding which filly he rides in Nassau Stakes.
“John (Gosden) has Shutter Speed and So Mi Dar in the race,” he said. “Both are great fillies but it will be a tough call.”
But Dettori has no hesitation nominating Enable as the filly capable of giving him a fifth victory in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
“Three times she’s shown me great cruising speed, when winning at Chester, Epsom and in last Saturday’s Irish Oaks,” said Dettori. “These are the weapons needed to win the Arc.
“Also, she gets the fillies’ weight allowance. Remember Treve getting the allowance, and all the other good fillies winning the race.”
O’Brien may have ruled out his star stayer but offered some encouraging news regarding his crack miler Churchill, who runs in the Qatar Sussex Stakes.
Following two impressive victories in the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, Churchill bombed out in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot where he finished fourth behind Barney Roy.
“All is good with Churchill,” said O’Brien. “I cannot answer why he disappointed at Ascot, perhaps it was the very hot weather.
“But he’s pleased us since and we are happy.”
O’Brien also put in good word for Winter, winner of the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, who runs in the Nassau Stakes.