Yes Can Do is in action at Newmarket today
Good morning. Today we were dealt a blow as Red Verdon has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup.
You may well have heard that he bruised a heel a couple of days ago, but we thought we were on top of the situation. He did a piece of work and I was initially pleased with him, but he pulled up a little short. Subsequent veterinary examinations revealed an abscess, and he will not be ready in time for the big race. It is most unfortunate, but as the general run of bad luck of the European raiders has shown this Australian Spring, it is very much part of the hazards of travelling horses internationally.
The welfare of the horse of course is paramount, and I am glad to report that I think he should be sound again within a few days. A plan has yet to be hatched for his next objective, but there are various options which will come into consideration. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their wonderful support on this journey with Red Verdon – I know he has begun to capture imaginations in a fashion not dissimilar to our old hero Red Cadeaux. Although we are of course very disappointed to miss out on the Cup, I see this as just a bump in the road and have faith that the horse will be back on course doing us proud again in major races in the near future.
Domestically we have one runner this afternoon, in the 12.15 at Newmarket. Yes Can Do is our representative, and she will be having her third run and going in search of a handicap rating for next year. A daughter of No Nay Never, she showed distinct promise on debut, but then disappointed somewhat at Kempton. I think she possibly didn’t appreciate the surface, as the wheels appeared to spin when her jockey asked for an effort. How she will cope with the prevailing conditions today is also an unknown, but I am very pleased to be getting her back on the turf one more time this year. We have secured the services of reigning Irish Champion jockey Colin Keane for the mount. Colin has enjoyed another stellar year, and is in Newmarket to ride for Willie Mullins later on the card. I hope riding our filly will provide him with some useful match practice on the track.
All the best,
Ed.