Sandown option for G1 winner Abbey Marie
Abbey Marie has pleased Mick Kent in a Sandown gallop but the trainer has not yet committed her to a start in the Summoned Stakes.
Abbey Marie is unbeaten in three starts including the Group One Australasian Oaks in May.
Soon after her Oaks win, Abbey Marie developed an infection which ruled her out of the big spring races with Kent saying wet tracks at Cranbourne where is trained have also plagued her preparation.
“Physically she’s really good,” Kent said.
“When she got sick in hospital she had a bit of a bout of laminitis in her feet and that’s what we’ve been mindful of, so we brought her back in to train her just to get her fit again.”
Acceptances for Saturday’s Group Three Summoned Stakes at Sandown will be taken on Wednesday.
“I’m very mindful she’s going to have a very busy autumn, so we’ve got to make a decision whether to give her that three or four weeks off now or run her on Saturday,” Kent said.
Kent also has Charlevoix entered for Sandown with the Zipping Classic (2400m) the race he prefers over the shorter Eclipse Stakes.
Charlevoix has only had one start over 1400m this spring but Kent says the horse is a natural stayer and has done enough work.
“He had a bit of a high white cell count the last couple of weeks. I’ve had him in and haven’t run him,” Kent said.
“I’d earmarked the Zipping Classic for him to run in third-up a long time ago.
“We missed the second run but he’s done enough work and he loves this track. He’s had his two wins here.
“I’m happy with him. I’ll have to retest his blood tomorrow. I just want to make sure he’s right.”
Kent said if Charlevoix didn’t run in the Zipping Classic, the Ballarat Cup a week later was an option.
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