Elarqam To Work At Craven Meeting

[Wandering Eyes]

Leading G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas candidate Elarqam (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is on course for a racecourse gallop next week in Newmarket ahead of his Classic date over the same Rowley Mile on May 5. Trainer Mark Johnston had originally planed to give Sheikh Hamdan’s son of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) a few away days to work on grass but one such trip to Pontefract was abandoned earlier this month when that meeting fell foul to the inclement weather. Giving an update on last year’s G3 Tattersalls S. winner Johnston’s son Charlie said, “We had a few back-up plans after Pontefract was abandoned, but obviously we haven’t had any turf racing on the Flat for nearly two weeks now. He hasn’t had chance to have that away-day, but he worked at home last Saturday and we were very, very happy with him. Joe [Fanning] came in and sat on him and everyone was delighted.” On galloping plans for next week at Newmarket Johnston continued, “The plan is still for him to go to the Craven meeting next week for a racecourse gallop. We haven’t firmed up which day he’ll go yet, but hopefully that will give Jim [Crowley] an opportunity to sit on him and Sheikh Hamdan an opportunity to see him, if he’s there.” It is 24 years since Mark Johnston won his only 2000 Guineas when Mister Baileys (GB) (Robellino) scored in 1994 and should Elarqam achieve Guineas glory he would be emulating both his parents Frankel (GB) and Attraction who won their respective Guineas’ in 2011 and 2004. That significance is not lost on Johnston junior who added, “The Guineas is less than four weeks away now and we’re counting down the days.”

 

View the full article