Sprinting Campaign For Barraquero

[Wandering Eyes]

Barraquero (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) was on Friday definitively ruled out of the G1 QIPCO 2,000 Guineas picture by Brian Meehan, who will now prepare him for a sprinting campaign instead. The G2 Qatar Richmond S. winner, sidelined by a shin issue after his Goodwood success, was to have been given the opportunity of testing the Classic water in the G3 Greatwood Greenham S. at Newbury on April 21. A minor but untimely hold-up had put that plan in doubt, however, and now the decision has been made to switch to Plan B.

“It’s just been too difficult to get the necessary work into him so we’ve decided to wait for the [G2] Sandy Lane at Haydock with a view to running in the [G1] Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot,” Meehan explained.

Asked whether the disappointment could ultimately prove a blessing in disguise, given doubts about the colt’s ability to see out a mile, the Manton trainer replied, “You could have a little bit of that at the back of your mind but it’s more about his condition, really. We have tried everything to get him ready-and he’s just not going to be. He’s sound, he’s working, but he’s just not there yet.”

“When he coughed three weeks ago I thought we’d be okay, there was still that window of time. But he coughed after working again the other day so we’ve decided just to back off and change the plan.” Whatever he may yet achieve, Barraquero already looks well bought at £30,000, by Sam Sangster, from the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster in 2016.

“He’s done extremely well over the winter,” Meehan stressed. “He’s bigger and stronger than he was last August, his weight is good and he’s moving well. But while he’s doing all the right things, I’m just not 110 per cent happy.”

 

View the full article