NEWS
Leopardstown, Haydock cards canceled
Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2008 12:38 PM
The much-anticipated rematch between Duke of Marmalade and New Approach in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-G1) has been postponed for at least one day as Leopardstown’s Saturday card was abandoned due to excessive water on parts of the course.
Another inspection is set for 7:30 a.m. Sunday, after which officials will determine whether Saturday’s card, which also included the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Ire-G1), will be rescheduled.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien said Duke of Marmalade is questionable for the Irish Champion Stakes should the race be run on Sunday, but he will make a final decision in the morning. O’Brien told Racing Post that if his multiple Group 1-winning four-year-old colt does contest the rescheduled race, he will enlist Seamus Heffernan to replace Johnny Murtagh in the irons. Murtagh is set to ride O’Brien’s dual classic winner Henrythenavigator in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) on Sunday.
Duke of Marmalade bested Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner New Approach in the Juddmonte International Stakes (Eng-G1) on August 23 and has won five consecutive Group 1 races in 2008.
Dry weather is forecast for the Dublin area beginning Saturday afternoon and through the rest of the weekend.
The Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-G1) at Haydock Park, originally scheduled for Saturday, also was canceled due to inclement weather. The six-furlong test will be added to Doncaster’s Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-G1) card on September 13. Ladbrokes will sponsor the Sprint Cup.
