HORDE SETBACK
CLIVE COX’S SORE SPRINTER OUT OF CHAMPIONS DAY EXTRAVAGANZA
GOLDEN HORDE has been ruled out of Saturday’s Group One Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot following a setback after working last Wednesday.
Clive Cox’s star sprinter was an impressive winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, before finishing third in the July Cup behind Oxted at Newmarket.
Fifth in Deauville’s Prix Maurice de Gheest, the three- year- old was then third behind Dream Of Dreams in the the Sprint Cup at Haydock last month.
“He was found to be sore after his work on Wednesday and we’re just not happy with him,” said Cox. “It’s a real shame but these things happen.”
Dream Of Dreams heads the betting at 9- 4 with Betfair. At Goodwood yesterday Royal Ascot heroine Onassis got back on the winning trail with victory in the tote/ British EBF October Fillies’ Stakes.
The Charlie Fellowes- trained threeyearold landed the Sandringham Stakes at the royal meeting in June, before scoring a Listed prize in France the following month.
Returning to Listed class after a finishing fourth in Doncaster’s Group Three Sceptre Stakes, Onassis went off at 9- 2 under regular rider Hayley Turner and beat the 7- 2 favourite With Thanks by half a length.
Fellowes said: “I’m delighted with her. She’s so tough and very talented.
“We were confident of a big run today, although you never know how they’re going to handle this sort of ground.
“She’s off to the breeding shed next year, so we’ll look at what options we have between now and then.” The
Commonwealth Cup at
Royal Ascot will be the main objective next season for Martyn Meade’s topclass colt Method.
His tilt at Group
One success became a non- event in last month’s Middle Park at Newmarket after
Frankie Dettori’s saddle slipped, before returning to the course for Friday’s Cornwallis Stakes.
Over an inadequate five furlongs, Method chased home Winter Power to finish second and now connections are looking forward to his 2021 campaign.
“He will go back up to six furlongs next year, so we will aim for the Commonwealth Cup and work back from there,” said Freddie Meade, assistant to his father.