Fizzypop Buddy came off sound after an impressive 660m trial at Perry Barr on Saturday night.
June Harvey’s 2015 St.Leger winner, who was five in July, and has not raced in more than a year following an injury to a stopper bone, clocked 40.51 (-30) when beating kennelmate Triumph by nearly five lengths. To put the run into perspective, Sheffield S1/open winner Cibulkova clocked 40.69 (-30) in the previous trial, and the 660m maiden open was won in 41.32 (-15). The fastest time of the year is Pennys Luna’s 40.25 (N).
Mrs Harvey said: “He is fine today and surpassed expectations. There has been a lot of effort to get him to this stage for which I can only thank my staff. We are undecided what to do next and I intend to speak to the Perry Barr racing manager to ensure that he is qualified to be able to run in the St.Leger.”
The 2018 St.Leger, for 24 runners over 710 metres and worth £5,500 to the winner gets underway on Sunday November 4 – entries close at noon on the previous Wednesday.
