3 minute read
Connections of Telescope are banking on another round of magic from Ryan Moore in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita.
One-time favourite for the Derby, Sir Michael Stoute's runner has perhaps never quite lived up to early expectations, but should have no excuses with the trip and ground in his favour.
A hugely impressive winner of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, he has been aimed at this since finishing third to Derby winner Australia in the Juddmonte International at York.
While a draw in stall one could be seen as problematic, Harry Herbert, racing manager to Telescope's owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said Moore is unperturbed.
"Sir Michael decided after the Juddmonte International to come to the Breeders' Cup. He ran very well that day behind Australia and The Grey Gatsby," said Herbert.
"A mile and a half is more his bag than a mile and a quarter. It's a very quick mile and a half around here, but we feel he's got enough tactical speed to deal with that and he loves fast ground.
"He is drawn on the rail, so Ryan will have to work out a plan, but when I spoke to him he wasn't remotely concerned where he was drawn."
Stoute said: "I'm happy with Telescope, he is fresh and well for this race, which has been the number one target since he ran at York. I think this race will suit him and everything has gone to plan since he arrived."
Aidan O'Brien suffered a blow when last year's winner Magician was ruled out on Wednesday, but he will still be represented by 2013 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita.
However, she has a bit of work to do to rebuild her reputation after throwing away what looked probable victory at Ascot on Champions Day by veering across the track, a trait she has shown before.
O'Brien said: "Chicquita is drawn well, even though I would have preferred to be slightly more inside than she is. She has travelled over well, and I hope that we can hang on to her a bit longer and leave it late to make her move.
"She's very talented, She's a brilliant filly if things just fall right for her. Frankie Dettori will have to deliver her late, and that's not easy to do round here."
Dettori replaces Joseph O'Brien in the saddle as the young rider would not be able to make the weight .
"She's very talented, she's won an Irish Oaks. She's got plenty of ability. I just need to make sure I do the right thing," Dettori told At The Races.
British punters will be familiar with Main Sequence, who was second in the 2012 Derby for David Lanigan. He subsequently joined Graham Motion and has won three Grade Ones since his move Stateside but will be without the services of Rajiv Maragh, on board for those successes.
"Losing Rajiv is tough. He has a great rapport with the horse, and that will not be easy to replace," Motion told www.bloodhorse.com.
His American debut was delayed through illness but Motion thinks that worked in his favour.
"He was quite sick, he had a touch of pneumonia, actually. It's a funny thing to say, but it actually turned out to be blessing in disguise. It gave him a chance to get acclimatised, and we got to know him, too," said Motion.
"You'd think three tight races like that would take something out of him, but if it has, I can't tell it. I know it's a cliché, but I wouldn't trade places with anyone. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run a big race."
Andre Fabre's Arc runner-up Flintshire and Irish St Leger winner Brown Panther, trained by Tom Dascombe, add further European interest.
