Cracksman to Skip King George for Later Targets
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Photo: Mathea Kelley
Cracksman and jockey Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot
John Gosden has indicated that Cracksman is more likely to miss the QIPCO King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) than he is to line up in the Ascot showpiece at the end of July.
The 4-year-old is the 7-2 second favorite for the group 1 behind Crystal Ocean but, while Gosden has not ruled out Cracksman lining up, he is conscious there are plenty of other prizes to target during the season.
Speaking on At The Races on Tuesday morning, Gosden said of Cracksman: "He's full of himself and is happy as anything. We're freshening him at the moment and we'll keep an eye on the King George but he's more likely coming back into the late summer/autumn campaigns. We're not even halfway through the year yet."
Cracksman has claimed the Prix Ganay (G1) and Investec Coronation Cup (G1) this season before being turned over at odds-on by Poet's Word in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Gosden questioned whether Cracksman's mind had been on the job that day, suggesting the colt was instead more interested in the fillies returning from the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2).
"He ran a phenomenally good time, Poet's Word was immensely impressive and beat him fair and square and look how far back it was to the third (Hawkbill) and look where he was in the Eclipse," Gosden added.
"I don't think it's exactly bad form for a horse who was pretty lackadaisical that day."
Gosden also had news on Lah Ti Dar, who was forced to miss the Investec Oaks (G1) and then the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot, having been a strong contender for each race.
Unbeaten in two starts, the filly was ruled out of the Oaks due to an unsatisfactory blood test and did not recover in time for the Ribblesdale.
Her trainer thinks the enforced absence has been a good thing, as he said: "She's now in tremendous form and looks really good. She's just doing easy canters and we'll get her back for a late summer/autumn campaign
"She's a big filly with a huge frame and she's benefited from the time off. Maybe it was all coming a bit soon."