Trainer Dermot Weld said he is watching ground conditions ahead of Harzand (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire})'s expected tilt at the G1 Irish Champion S. Sept. 10, hoping sufficient rain is in the forecast. Leopardstown is currently racing on the firm side and Weld admitted the dual Derby winner would prefer some cut.
“Harzand is very well, but he likes a little ease in the ground and Pat Keogh [Leopardstown chief executive] says it is fairly quick at the moment,” said Weld. “We'll see what conditions are like, but I'm very happy with him at the moment.”
After the Irish Champion, Harzand is expected to progress to the Oct. 2 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, for which he is currently second-favourite to Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).
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