DERMOT WELD has warned punters Casual Conquest is likely to improve for the run when he lines up in the Group Three Meld Stakes at Leopardstown today.
The four-year-old, placed in both the English and Irish Derbies last season, finished second to Bronze Cannon on his comeback in the Jockey Club Stakes before winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup in impressive style.
“We expect a very big run from him and the horse is pretty fit, but hopefully there will be nice improvement in him.”
Also in the Weld stable, Famous Name is being considered for the Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile at Deauville at next month, while Profound Beauty is set to have a second crack at the Melbourne Cup later this year. She finished fifth in the race last year.
Weld has also announced that Galway specialist Ansar has been retired. The 13-year-old had an exceptional record at Ballybrit, winning at the course on no less than seven occasions.
Dual classic winner Sea The Stars heads the 42 entries for the Sony-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on September 26th. Other entries include French 2,000 Guineas winner Silver Frost; Newmarket and Coronation Stakes heroine Ghanaati; four-time Group One-winning filly Goldikova; and JJ The Jet Plane.
Aidan O’Brien has made eight entries, headed by Mastercraftsman and Rip Van Winkle.
Ryan Moore has chosen to ride Conduit in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Mick Kinane will ride the Michael Stoute-trained stablemate Tartan Bearer in Saturday’s feature race at Ascot. Cima De Triomphe will miss the race with a trip to Chicago for the Arlington Million on August 8th in the offing.
The only yearling in the world by the ill-fated George Washington looks certain to generate massive interest when going on sale at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in October. The bay filly is out of the Group-winner-producing Rainbow Quest mare Flawlessly.
After a a stud career that was prematurely curtailed owing to chronic infertility, George Washington had to be destroyed after tragically breaking his leg on his final racecourse appearance in the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Classic.
