Racing Chatter – Mackay Faces Break

With one of the busiest periods of the year now behind us, here are the latest quotes from industry insiders…

Bad News For Nicky

Nicky Mackay’s agent has confirmed that the jockey is likely to be sidelined for a considerable period of time, with injury. He was unseated by Royalistic, at Chelmsford on Thursay, which led to a broken femur.

“He had the surgery on Friday and then he came home on Sunday night. The bone will hopefully take about 12 weeks to heal and then he can begin rehabilitation to get back riding. He’s a fit, strong, young lad and is making good progress – he’s just eager to get back.

“Both the staff at Chelmsford on Thursday night and the hospital staff have been brilliant. Mr and Mrs Gosden have been amazingly supportive and Nicky would like to thank them as well as his fellow jockeys, friends, family and owners who have been sending him messages of support.”

Native Versus Cue, Part 2?

Colin Tizzard has put Gold Cup disappointments behind him and he’s already looking ahead to Aintree. Jumps fans will be excited that he has hinted both Native River and Cue Card may face-off, once again.

Tizzard said on Monday: “Both horses had a canter this morning and they’re absolutely fine. Cue Card didn’t look like he was going to win when he came down, but if you watch the replay of last year’s race he didn’t look to be going anywhere at the fourth-last and then at the third-last it looked like he’d just jumped in.

“He wasn’t going as well as last year, but he’s come back fine and that’s the main thing. The other horse (Native River) ran his race, I think. He got nutted for second and the winner (Sizing John) is a very good horse.

“We’ll see how they are nearer the time, but they could both go to Aintree, or one might wait for Punchestown. There’s a lot of prize-money on offer, so I wouldn’t be against running the two against each other again.

“Having said that, we know Cue Card is effective over two and a half miles as well, so he has that option (JLT Melling Chase) at Aintree, too.”

No Clear Plan Yet, For Yan

Yanworth was another who disappointed at Cheltenham and connections are still undecided, as to whether the 7-year-old will compete again this season.

Trainer Alan King said  “I think it looked as if he does want more of a trip. He travelled very well early on. They didn’t go very quick and down the hill he was caught flat-footed, then stayed on up the hill.

“If we run him again, I would imagine we go two and a half at Aintree. If not, that would be him and he will go chasing next season.

“He was jumping big, but that is why we put the cheekpieces on. He looked like he had run an awful race, but he stayed on up the hill and with another few strides would have been sixth. I am pleased with the way he finished the race off.”

Dubai Dirt Is No Problem For Arrogate

Arrogate is a short-priced favourite for the Dubai World Cup which takes place on Saturday and Bob Baffert feels that his amazing inmate will cope fine with the dirt surface.

“It is a good surface,” Baffert said. “It is soft and they get over it well. He has run on it all. I have worked him over muddy, whatever. He takes it in his stride. If he shows up, and is doing well he will run well.”

“I’ve never won it here (at Meydan), and it’s totally different,” Baffert added. “I really liked that old track (Nad Al Sheba), but this is totally different (with) tighter turns. You need a lot of racing luck to get away from the gate. It becomes a jockey’s race.

“And you never know until they start turning for home – is the horse going to show up? As a trainer, you’re just hoping that at the quarter pole, they’re moving.”