Magician likely to miss St James’s Palace Stakes – Horseracing news
Magician is set to miss the St James’s Palace Stakes due to a minor injury. However, his team has not made any final call yet and will decide later.
According to trainer Aidan O’Brien, “He (Magician) gave himself a knock yesterday on the outside of his off-hind leg. We think it happened in his box. He was 100 per cent sound today but just to be on the safe side we will make a final decision on Sunday.”
The three-year-old colt was in impressive form and had been delivering some class results for his team lately. His strike rate was not so good when he ended the 2012 season, but things started moving in the positive direction this year. Therefore, it will
be a huge disappointment for his camp, if he misses out on the St James’s Palace Stakes.
In case the Irish runner fails to make an appearance in the upcoming event, he will be replaced by Mars, who is a bit low on confidence at the moment. He started off his career with an impressive victory, but failed to carry on with the same momentum afterwards.
The track conditions might also play a role in Magician’s participation at the Royal Ascot and his camp will be hoping for some good news. If the ground becomes softer, it will definitely work in favour of O’Brien’s trainee.
According to the clerk of the course at Ascot Chris Stickels, “We're forecast a spell of rain overnight of between 3mm and 4mm and if that arrives all well and good. However, if it doesn't the ground will become good to firm and I'll have to consider putting
some water on, possibly tomorrow afternoon. But the forecast is very changeable at the moment and that makes things a bit tricky.”
Meanwhile Dawn Approach is set to make a comeback in the St James’s Palace Stakes, which might be one of the reasons why Magician is pulling out of the contest. Although most of the horseracing fans were looking forward to this contest, they will now be
disappointed with the injury news to the latter of the two stallions.
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