Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the leading juvenile in England in 2015 for Al Shaqab Racing, has been out of action since fracturing his pelvis in the spring, but has now resumed cantering with John Gosden's string in Newmarket.
The trainer is aiming to have the dual Group 1 winner, who was last seen winning the G1 Middle Park S. in September, back in time for the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint on Oct. 15.
“If he has a completely uninterrupted preparation, then there is a possibility that he might come back for the Champions Sprint –so long as John and the yard are happy with him,” said Al Shaqab's Racing Manager Harry Herbert. “I would say at this stage he looks fantastic and is moving well.”
In his guise as spokesman for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, Herbert also issued an update on another Gosden runner, Foundation (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), winner of the G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. last year who most recently finished last in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club on June 5.
He commented, “We have gelded Foundation as he was very shouty in France and he ran no sort of race. The plan is to run him in the Rose of Lancaster and to take it one step at a time with him.”
The G2 Betfred Rose Of Lancaster S. is run at Haydock this Saturday and could also feature the seasonal debut of the Sir Michael-Stoute-trained Arab Spring (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). The lightly-raced 6-year-old has won five of his eight races, including the G3 Dubai Duty Free S., but has been off the track since May 2015.
“He has had a series of setbacks and that is the story of his life,” said Stoute.
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