Good news in today's Warren Place stable tour. Frankel has been ridden in trotting work since last week's injury, although they will still scan him (probably tomorrow).
Sorry to be a pain but that isn't good news to me. If he was mine I wouldn't have a rider on him trotting BEFORE the scan. What if the scan shows something isn't right; they could have caused more damage. I expect I'll get the usual "I think they know better than you" but I'm in the better safe than sorry camp and nothing will ever shift that, particularly as far as horses are concerned.
Ron, if he's sound I guess the main thought is that the damage was, as they initially said, superficial. It is sounding more and more like the second scan is a "belt and braces" approach. Perhaps the Juddmonte insurance team have insisted on it. I do understand where you are coming from though.
From Racing Post Frankel gets green light to continue racing career By Lee Mottershead 3:22PM 18 APR 2012 RACING received the news it had been longing to hear on Wednesday when Frankel’s connections revealed that the sport’s world champion will be able to continue his career with next month's Jlt Lockinge Stakes once again an option. News that the unbeaten miler had sustained an injury when working last week sparked fears that the Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old might have raced for the last time. However, Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, on Wednesday revealed that a scan to the colt’s injured leg had shown nothing untoward. In a prepared statement Grimthorpe said: "Frankel has been given the all clear, following his scan this afternoon. "There was no evidence of any damage to his tendon and he will now resume a normal training regime."
Interesting to hear Sir Henry say on RUK this afternoon that the injury was sustained on the first day he was cantered on grass this season. It bears out my conversation with Sir Henry's secretary, who told me that Frankel is a creature of habit and changes to his routine tend to shake him a little. He confirmed that there was no external damage (i.e. broken skin) when the injury occured as Frankel works with his legs bandaged. Thank goodness!
Need to start looking at the timetables again then if there is some prospect of Frankel making it to Newbury. Maybe the "injury" talk will persuade some opposition to actually show up and try to make a race of it. We need a Champion because this year's three-year-olds may be an ordinary bunch.
imagine if Camelot won the Guineas and the Derby and then faced Frankel in the Eclipse - ok highly unlikely but that is the sort of contest flat racing needs to compete with the growing popularity of jump racing
I'm inclined to agree George but I am having a problem finding who is going to beat him. Enlighten me.
haven't got a bloody clue at this stage Zen! something will get there, perhaps a French horse/or an outsider. This Guineas reminds me of the one Makfi won (when SNA went off at evens). I'm just convinced that Camelot will be outpaced when push comes to shove particularly if the ground firms up. Montjeu's are poor in 8f G1s at 3 or older and horses that debut at 8f as a 2-y-o don't have a great record in the Guineas either (the notable recent exception being the greatest horse in the World). If all else fails we can always lay him and cheer on the field!
This was the conclusion I was coming to. I would be delighted if it was the same as Makfi because I had the winner at 33s courtesy of Stick. Who wins it this year then Stick?
I've been looking at the French horses too. Anyone know which ones are actually coming over? I can only find a quote for Hermival, and believe Dragon Pulse is being aimed at the French 2000. be interested to know French Fifteen and Abtaal's targets. Anyone else think its quite significant that Cityscapes confirmed target is Hong Kong? Surely he would be going to the Lockinge unless the owner had another for the race?
I think Cityscape going to Hong Kong is a big nod that Frankel will be OK for the Lockinge. As for the French, I'm pretty sure Abtaal is coming over, and I think French Fifteen might be too but I couldn't swear to it.
yeah it has to be a big nod to his chances of turning up. I will definitely be making the 15 minute train journey if he does. who's your pick of the french horses zen?
