Item Likely Done For The Year

[Wandering Eyes]

Juddmonte's Item (Frankel) is likely done for the year, according to trainer Andrew Balding.

A winner of the G2 Dante Stakes in the spring, July's G2 York Stakes and a competitive G1 Juddmonte International Stakes there in August, the chestnut could only manage sixth to Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

“He was always slightly under pressure to hold his position and he stayed on well at the end, but it was all too late,” the trainer told Sky Sports Racing at Windsor on Monday.

“It was a bit sharp for him. The likelihood is that he'll stay in training next year and we'll explore the mile and a half options.

“There's not really anything for him [this season], so I think he'll have a nice break. He probably won't go to the Breeders' Cup this year, but we can probably look at something like the [G1] Sheema Classic next year [in Dubai].

“Anything is possible, but the feeling after Ireland was that we'll look towards next year.”

A Juddmonte runner did find the winner's circle during Irish Champions Festival, with fellow Balding trainee Blue Bolt (Blue Point) in the G1 Matron Stakes. The October 3 G1 Sun Chariot Stakes is under consideration before a trip to the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. The four-year-old filly is riding a five-race winning streak, with her last three victories coming in the G1 Falmouth Stakes in July, the G1 Prix Rothschild in France and the aforementioned Matron in Ireland.

Balding added, “I think we'll look at the Sun Chariot because she's just come back and has only lost six kilos and certainly had a spring to her step this morning.

“We'll look at the Sun Chariot, the timing is right and it would lead nicely into Keeneland.”

Another star for the Juddmonte/Balding axis is G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Kalpana (Study Of Man). She remains bound for a shot at the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The trainer said “all roads lead to Longchamp” and a tilt at the Arc. “She's certainly in great form, very happy with her,” Balding concluded.

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