Oxx rules out Australia

The Ascot Gold Cup winner Enzeli will head straight for the Irish St Leger at the Curragh next month but John Oxx has ruled the Aga Khan owned horse out of a subsequent tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Enzeli features among the entries for the Australian showpiece in November but Oxx is more likely to train him for the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp after he has run in the Leger.

"We will probably stick with a European campaign this time but Australia is a possibility in the future. We put him in the Melbourne Cup to see what weight he got but Plan A is the Leger and then the Cadran," Oxx said yesterday.

The Curragh trainer also reported that he faces a race against the clock to get his impressive two-year-old Broche fit in time for the National Stakes.

"He had a setback after he won at the Curagh and while he is well again now, it's touch and go if he will be ready in time for the National Stakes. He has all sorts of other entries but we won't consider alternatives until he is back in fast work," said Oxx.

Noel Meade also reported yesterday that immediate plans for Sunshine Street are on hold after his disappointing effort in last weekend's Royal Whip.

"Kevin (Manning) said he didn't feel right and we found afterwards he is a bit off in front. We've put everything on hold but we are still considering races in either America of Australia for him in the autumn," said Meade.

A total of six British acceptors stood their ground at the initial forfeit stage in the Group Three Prix de la Nonette over 10 furlongs at Deauville on Saturday. They are Ma Arif (John Gosden), Balladonia (Lady Herries), Etizaaz (Godolphin), Annapurna (Brian Meehan) and the John Dunlop pair, Alabaq and Barafamy. The 15 acceptors for the three-year-old fillies' race include the French Oaks second Star of Akkar.

Kissogram, Luca Cumani's Sun Chariot Stakes winner, and Gosden's Abyaan, have both been left in the Listed Coupe du Fonds Europeen de L'Elevage on the same card.

The Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage, for two-year-olds over a mile, has attracted four British acceptors. The quartet are Sarafan (Richard Hannon), Barathea Guest (George Margarson), Il Capitano (Barry Hills) and Michele Marieschi (Paul Cole).