The Melbourne Cup could be back on the radar for world-renowned galloper Constitution Hill after his trainer Nicky Henderson flagged a start in a conventional lead-up race.
The famous English hurdler-turned-flat horse has not been seen since saluting in a 2400m event at Kempton on March 25, but Henderson said the nine-year-old was back in work ahead of York’s Ebor Handicap (2787m) in August.
“He had a nice break after his win at Kempton, and he’s been back in now for three or four weeks and looks great,” Henderson told The Sun.
“The Ebor is definitely in the mix, but he’d have to run again to qualify for the Ebor.
“He’s in the Irish St Leger and we’ve got our international program book to hand, so we’ll start making plans.”
Racing Victoria’s international recruiter Paul Bloodworth left for the UK on Monday hoping to persuade Henderson to send the horse to Melbourne.
Constitution Hill is not to be confused with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Constitution River, the winner of the Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday over A Boy Named Susie, with the latter also appearing set for an Australian visit.
Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, Aidan’s son, A Boy Named Susie has been scheduled for a Cox Plate tilt after the solid showing.
“One of our big aims is the Cox Plate, so we’re thinking of working back from that. We’ll have a look at the program and see what makes sense,” O’Brien said.
Oppositely, Asfoora – an Australian galloper racing in the UK – could be set for retirement after failing to beat a runner home as favourite in the Group 3 Coral Charge (1014m) at the Sandown meeting.
Trainer Henry Dwyer said he will monitor the Group 1-winning mare’s progress to see if she perseveres to the Group 2 King George Stakes (1000m) at Goodwood on July 31 for one final hurrah or retire her immediately.
Meanwhile, top WA owner Bob Peters – who had three winners on Saturday at Belmont – has anointed Cox Plate hopeful Cosmic Crusader as one of the best horses he has had.
“What he’s doing is up there with all of them, really,” Peters told SEN.
“I think 1600m up to 2000m (is his best distance).”
Peters has owned a plethora of feature race winners, including three-time Group 1 victor Arcadia Queen.
He landed the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) on Saturday with Westbound when reigniting a partnership with leading rider Clint Johnston-Porter.
Punters were left surprised when Johnston-Porter was left off several of Peters’ gallopers in recent weeks, though the mogul owner dismissed any conjecture.
“It was never out altogether,” he said.
“It was always there, offering him rides, but he couldn’t take them. It came up that he was available to take them.”
