Lake Forest camp planning Hong Kong trip
Breeders’ Cup Mile third could soon be on his travels again.
Lake Forest could be set for another globetrotting expedition after running with credit at the Breeders’ Cup as connections eye a December trip to Hong Kong.
Winner of the valuable Golden Eagle in Australia two years ago, the William Haggas-trained five-year-old has become a regular international traveller, with his last two starts coming on American soil.
He filled the runner-up spot in the Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland in early October and stayed in Kentucky to contest the Breeders’ Cup Mile, placing third behind Deterministic and Notable Speech.
Having banked just shy of £4million in his career to date, Lake Forest is now back at his Newmarket base, but could soon have his passport stamped once again.
“He’s back and cantered on Friday morning and we’re looking at going to Hong Kong. He ran really well, he ran well in both races (in America),” said Haggas.
While Lake Forest has yet to win at Group One level, he continues to represent the blue silks of Brighton and Hove Albion supremo Tony Bloom with distinction.
Sean Graham, racing manager to Bloom and fellow owner Ian McAleavy added: “He ran well at the Breeders’ Cup and had a good draw in two, but just struggled to hold his position early in the race.
“Cieren Fallon said as he turned out of the back straight and into the home straight the horse just lost his backend as the ground was a bit loose and slippy.
“Nevertheless he has run a great race and performed with credit. He’s finished third at a Breeders’ Cup and shown he definitely gets a mile around a bend, even if a shorter trip might be best for him on a stiff, straighter track. He definitely deserves his place in these big races.
“He’s a tough horse who has only been out of the prize-money once in seven runs this year. He always picks up a pay-cheque and is just a fabulous horse. As long as he comes out of America fine we’ll take him to the Far East.”