Azkadellia (NZ) (Shinko King {Ire}) earned an automatic entry into the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf for her win in the G1 Coolmore Legacy Queen of the Turf S. at The Championships Apr. 2, and the 5-year-old mare could take up that Nov. 5 engagement if she is in good form, owner Ben Connolly told Racing and Sports. Connolly, who is racing manager to Azkadellia's trainer Ciaron Maher, said the Breeders' Cup ride could go to Michelle Payne, who is in the midst of a comeback from serious injury earlier this year. It was recently announced Payne would not be aboard Prince of Penzance (NZ) (Pentire {GB}), on whom she won last year's G1 Melbourne Cup, when the gelding makes his spring return.
“The Aussie spirit is to never give up, and give a mate a hand up and a fair go,” Connolly told Racing and Sports. “She is a true Aussie battler made good, and I'll back her to the ends of the earth to do us proud again.”
“I understand some in the industry may disagree with me, but I am not talking about putting an unprepared, unfit or unhealthy Michelle Payne on the horse,” he added. “She has to get herself back to the level she was at when she won the Melbourne Cup, and remain healthy both physically and mentally.”
Since her Queen of the Turf score, Azkadellia has finished second in the G1 Doomben 10,000, 10th in the G1 Stradbroke H. and second in the G1 Tatt's Club Tiara June 25.
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