Aspetar Holds His Ground for Juddmonte International

[Wandering Eyes]

Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}), who won last year’s G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne in September, will make his next start in the Aug. 19 G1 Juddmonte International S., trainer Roger Charlton confirmed on Monday. After a fruitless run in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase in December, the gelding made his 5-year-old bow in the Listed Gala S. at Sandown on July 5 and ran second to Magny Cours (Medaglia d’Oro). He returned to the winner’s circle in the G2 York S. on July 25, but Charlton is being realistic about his charges chances.

“He could run in the Juddmonte International, [but] I think realistically we’re trying to get placed,” he said. “I think there were a few disappointments in the York S. It was a great effort from our horse–and he won well–but he’s not going to beat the Appleby horse [Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})], he’s not going to beat Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and he’s not going to beat Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) if he turns up.

“If we could finish third or fourth it would be great. There aren’t many options if you win a Group 2. I looked in France, and you have to carry a 4 1/2-pound penalty taking on horses like Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr})- you’ve got no chance. We might as well try and be third or fourth at York.”

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