The worry for some trainers working with some thoroughbreds is that one minute they can be up, chatting about the world- beater in their possession, the next the opposite emotion is experienced.
The worry for some trainers working with some thoroughbreds is that one minute they can be up, chatting about the world- beater in their possession, the next the opposite emotion is experienced.
Such was the case yesterday with the burly South African, Mike de Kock, who, one minute had a smile on his face, only for that to evaporate when bad luck shuffled up beside him.
The guy had high hopes about Archipenko, whom de Kock had entered for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown tomorrow..
The animal, who had been on offer at around 14-1 for the Group 1 race, has a sore leg.
Juan Nel, assistant trainer to de Kock, yesterday said: "It's a race we've been targeting for a long time and it's very hard to take. We discovered the problem early in the morning and it's a huge disappointment.
"We haven't had a full prognosis yet, so we're a little bit in the dark in terms of when he'll be back. It's a blow, but that's racing."
Archipenko, a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, was last seen in action in the UK winning the Ascot Summer Mile in July.
A field of 10 is scheduled to go to post for the Eclipse, which is headed by John Oxx's 2000 Guineas and Derby winner Sea The Stars. Rip Van Winkle, fourth behind Sea The Stars at Epsom, will bid to turn the form around over this shorter trip.
The plus side for de Kock came with the news that his sprinter, J J The Jet Plane, displayed his well-being ahead of the Darley July Cup a week today in a workout at Newmarket.
He was accompanied by a galloping companion in the pleasing spin on the July course. Nel said: "He had a really good workout and we're extremely happy with him.
"He was put through his paces and is looking extremely well, better than before Ascot. We are really looking forward to the race and I think you'll see a different horse at Newmarket."
Sea The Stars is a 4-6 shot. However, a Coral spokesman said he feels those odds will be even shorter come post time.
"We are thrilled at the great line-up for the race but the betting public only has eyes, and cash, for one horse, Sea The Stars," he said.
"We offered 5-4 at the start of the week, but he has been backed at all rates down to 4-6. The weight of public support on the day could well make him start 1-2, or even shorter."
In America, jockey Calvin Borel has lost the ride on Kentucky Derby hero Mine That Bird.
The jockey teamed up with Bennie "Chip" Woolley Jr's gelding to create a 50-1 surprise at Churchill Downs in May.
He was also on board the three-year-old for the Belmont Stakes, in which the pair finished third behind Summer Bird.
Borel elected to ride Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness, however, and was vindicated as the filly defeated Mine That Bird by a length.
Mine That Bird's next scheduled assignment is the West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Park on August 1, but Borel will not be at the helm. Woolley said: "Calvin has a lot of options, but his failure to commit to my horse meant I had to go elsewhere."
