By Kelsey Riley
G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) will target Royal Ascot without another run before, according to trainer John Gosden. The 2015 G1 Irish Derby winner, who was out much of 2016 through injury, rebounded in a big way to win the Sheema Classic at Meydan on Mar. 25, and will target either the G1 Prince of Wales's S. or the G2 Hardwicke S. at the Royal meeting in June.
“He will go on anything except firm ground,” said Gosden. “He traveled out there [to Dubai] well and has come back well. We will point him towards Royal Ascot as most of the big middle-distance races are not until June.”
Gosden, who was at Chelmsford Thursday evening to oversee a few workers including Derby contender Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}), offered updates on some other charges, including last year's G3 Musidora S. winner So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}).
“So Mi Dar is fine and the plan with her is to go to the [G2] Middleton S. [on May 18],” said Gosden. “Royal Artillery (War Front) and Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}), we are looking towards the [G3] Gordon Richards S. [on Apr. 28] at Sandown. It was good to bring them here to see the racecourse again and they both worked nicely.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
