Sea Moon gets withdrawn from the Ormonde Stakes while Brown Panther still heads on
The rematch between the St Leger stars, Brown Panther and Sea Moon in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester was much awaited. However, Sea Moon who finished third in the St Leger, has been withdrawn from the race by the trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, due to
ground condition concerns.
The ground condition is being considered soft and heavy at places.
"I think we will have to look at the ground," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.
"He is in the Yorkshire Cup, but it may be that Michael will want to wait. We will keep the situation under review. It's going to be a long season."
The decision of the trainer cannot be confronted as his record will get distorted by taking excruciatingly high chances with his victory when the ground conditions are apparent.
Out of the six career starts, Sea Moon struck hat trick through the three outings that he claimed and did not let the rankings get driven down the third position.
His first career success was in the European Breeders’ Fund Bet365 Maiden Stakes on 26th October at Yarmouth over a mile. He was the 1/5 favourite winner with a length’s lead from the runner up, Little Rocky.
Refusing to let off the consistency level, Sea Moon bagged the Give Generously To Macmillan Stakes (Handicap) on 11th June at York over a mile and two and a half furlong.
Once again he won as the favourite of the race paired up with Ryan Moore with a 1 ¾ lengths’ lead from the runner up, Flag Officer.
The four-year-old finally struck a hat trick by winning the Group 2 Sportingbet.Com Great Voltigeur Stakes on 17th August at York over a mile and four furlongs.
This time however, Sea Moon was not the one sent as the favourite rather Seville was the 5/6 favourite and settled third after the runner up, Al Kazeem.
The future targets for Sea Moon include the Sportingbet Yorkshire Cup at York which is scheduled for next Friday, the Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Tom Dascombe trained Brown Panther will still contest in the race and thus holds the attention of many. He was the runner up of the St Leger and is under the ownership of Michael Owen, the Manchester United footballer.
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