RACING: A return to racing over a mile is being considered for Hawk Wing with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in 18 days' time not ruled out. Aidan O'Brien reported yesterday that the colt had emerged unscathed from his second to Grandera in Saturday's Irish Champion Stakes.
Twenty four hours later, Rock Of Gibraltar took his Group One winning streak to a record seven in the Prix du Moulin and the QEII was also proposed as a possible target for him. "Hawk Wing seems fine after Leopardstown and is a possible for the Queen Elizabeth II. Rock Of Gibraltar is grand after his race and Ascot is a possible for him too," O'Brien said.
The two colts raced each other in the 2,000 Guineas in May when Hawk Wing started a clear favourite and was widely judged an unlucky runner-up to Rock Of Gibraltar. But the Coolmore-Ballydoyle team are unlikely to allow the two stars to clash again.
Significantly, O'Brien used the Ascot race as Giant's Causeway's warm-up for the Breeders' Cup Classic two years ago.
Hawk Wing is a 7 to 1 second favourite in some books for the Classic at Arlington Park, Chicago on October 26th and O'Brien said yesterday: "The Breeders' Cup Classic is a possible for Hawk Wing but it's a long way away."
A decision about whether High Chaparral will clash with the French Derby hero Sulamani in this Sunday's Prix Niel at Longchamp won't be taken until mid-week.
O'Brien reported High Chaparral's blood picture was not right on Thursday last and he said yesterday: "He seems fine now and is still a possible for France."
The trainer has left in the trio of Sholokhov, Ballingarry and Black Sam Bellamy in Saturday's Doncaster St Leger but all of them figure in the Irish Leger on the same day too. No decision has yet been taken as to who will run where.
The Ballydoyle trainer picked up the world's oldest classic with Milan last year.
Vinnie Roe is on target to defend his Irish Leger crown and is likely to be joined by the 2000 winner Arctic Owl in the final classic of the Irish season.
Dermot Weld has confirmed that Vinnie Roe will be targeted at the Melbourne Cup if he emerges in good shape from Saturday's big race.
