Racing News and Gowran preview: Dermot Weld is considering a change of plan with his star two-year-old Grey Swallow and giving the colt his final start of the season in Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy.
The 10-length Galway maiden winner missed out on last weekend's Prix Jean Luc Lagadere at Longchamp with the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday week thought to be his likely target.
However, Weld said yesterday: "We will make a decision next week but he will run in either the Dewhurst or the Racing Post Trophy. He appreciates a little ease in the going and I believe Newmarket is pretty firm right now." The Doncaster Group One is over a mile compared to the seven furlongs of the Dewhurst and the longer option would mean a very busy top level day for the Weld camp as it is run on the same day as the Breeders' Cup in Los Angeles.
Refuse To Bend is reported "on target and in great form" for the Mile at Santa Anita while the double Grade One winner Dimitrova will be Weld's representative in the Fillies and Mares.
"She travelled from New York last week and is just settling in at the moment. Both she and Refuse To Bend are all set for the Breeders' Cup," Weld said.
The Curragh trainer will discuss Vinnie Roe's future options with owner Jim Sheridan today as last Sunday's Arc de Triomphe fifth continues to stay in quarantine with a return to the Melbourne Cup trip still not ruled out. "His options are the Canadian International at Woodbine, the French St Leger or the Melbourne Cup. We will probably make a final decision at the weekend," he said.
Weld already has one Melbourne Cup contender in Australia and In Time's Eye is set to try and earn his place in the big race in the Caulfield Cup in eight days time. In Time's Eye's travelling companion One More Round could run in a Group Three race over seven furlongs on the same Caulfield card.
Pat Smullen takes the ride on the Weld-trained Pulitser in the mile two-year-old maiden at Gowran Park this afternoon and the Grand Lodge colt could be the bet of the day.
The opposition include the Ballydoyle newcomer Cobra who is by Sadler's Wells and Arch Rebel, third to Amalie Bay at the Curragh in the controversial maiden where Dangle finished fifth.
Nevertheless, Pulitser impressed with his debut second to the highly-regarded Beresford Stakes possible Azamour at the Curragh and looks likely to step up.
Weld is also represented over fences in the beginners chase with the former Stakes winner Mutakarrim who should score under Barry Geraghty if putting in an adequate round of jumping.
The handicap hurdle is a typically competitive event but Johnjoe's Express, stuck in the mud in Listowel behind Pescetto Lady, could be the answer.
