Grasshopper
Senior Jockey
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2006
- Messages
- 16,050
A somewhat less than equivocal quote from Clive Smith re his King George plans.
The plot thickens....
"There was an original thought that maybe we should go for this race [Betfair Chase] and if he ran creditably we'd then go for the Gold Cup, but that's four months away," said Smith.
"It may still be the best way to get the very best out of him [is to go] for one more race [the Gold Cup] and whatever happens retire him afterwards. We haven't decided on that.
"However, it seems a shame not to give him a chance in the King George. He's won it four times, he almost deserves it. It's his track, he runs it so well.
"He might have his best chance of winning the two major races of the year by going to the King George, and if he won it a fifth time it would bring the house down."
He added: "Master Minded is in the picture. He's running very well and is a younger horse, so it's very difficult to work it all out.
"It wasn't absolutely perfect ground for Master Minded at Ascot and ifit was a bit softer at Kempton on Boxing Day that would suit him, and a right-handed track like Ascot suits him too."
http://www.racingpost.com/news/hors...-serious-option-for-kauto-star/950846/latest/
The plot thickens....
"There was an original thought that maybe we should go for this race [Betfair Chase] and if he ran creditably we'd then go for the Gold Cup, but that's four months away," said Smith.
"It may still be the best way to get the very best out of him [is to go] for one more race [the Gold Cup] and whatever happens retire him afterwards. We haven't decided on that.
"However, it seems a shame not to give him a chance in the King George. He's won it four times, he almost deserves it. It's his track, he runs it so well.
"He might have his best chance of winning the two major races of the year by going to the King George, and if he won it a fifth time it would bring the house down."
He added: "Master Minded is in the picture. He's running very well and is a younger horse, so it's very difficult to work it all out.
"It wasn't absolutely perfect ground for Master Minded at Ascot and ifit was a bit softer at Kempton on Boxing Day that would suit him, and a right-handed track like Ascot suits him too."
http://www.racingpost.com/news/hors...-serious-option-for-kauto-star/950846/latest/
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