The chances of George Washington racing again this season appeared to increase significantly yesterday when Aidan O'Brien issued a noticeably upbeat bulletin concerning the 2,000 Guineas winner's return from injury.
George Washington hasn't been seen since being beaten by Araafa in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in late May, after which it was discovered he had sustained a muscle injury in his hip. Extensive box rest followed and there was some speculation that the triple Group One winner might not be seen on a racecourse again.
However, O'Brien reports that the colt's return to fitness is progressing well and that a trip to a race track for a vital piece of work away from home may not be too far away.
"We're not going to pick a race until we are completely happy with him. It's too far ahead. But he is definitely on the way back. I think the phrase is 'watch this space'."
O'Brien also had positive news of last year's champion juvenile filly Rumplestiltskin who hasn't raced since finishing unplaced in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. "She got a hairline fracture in a pelvis which could have been serious if we hadn't dealt with it at an early stage. She is back cantering but we will wait and let her tell us when she is ready for a race again," he said.
In the shorter term, Dermot Weld will attempt a fourth success in tomorrow night's $250,000 American Derby at Arlington in Chicago with Golden Arrow. Pat Smullen's mount has been drawn in stall one for the nine and a half furlong event that Weld has won in the past with Pine Dance, Simple Exchange and Evolving Tactics, Also in the race is the ex-Ballydoyle horse Amigoni who won last year's Anglesey Stakes but is now trained in the US. The forecast favourite is Stream Cat from the Patrick Biancone stable. Golden Arrow is predicated to start an 8 to 1 chance.
Ruby Walsh could have a bonanza at Kilbeggan this evening where his mounts include Barrack Buster in the featured Ladbrokes Midlands National. Trainer Martin Brassil is giving Barrack Buster another crack at this race after the mare finished seventh last year. She is in winning form having scored over hurdles at Cork a week ago.
Walsh and Brassil could also team up successfully in the three mile handicap hurdle where Cunninghams Folly tries to repeat a course and distance win last month.
Another with course form is Omas Leader who should go close in the second maiden hurdle and Norborne Bandit, headed in the dying strides by Aviatore at Sligo last Sunday, looks the one to beat in the opener.
