Godolphin flagbearer Delegator back on track after injury nightmare
By Marcus Townend for the Daily Mail
Cup hope: Bin Suroor
Godolphin belatedly launch Delegator's 2010 campaign in today's Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury hoping he can rescue something from a wasted season.
The son of Dansili was supposed to be a flagbearer for Saeed bin Suroor's stable with his sights on the major sprinting prizes.
But he has not raced since his fifth to Goldikova in the Breeders' Cup Mile at San Anita in November.
Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said: 'He had a wart at the back of his pastern and it was in such an awkward place that any motion of his leg aggravated it.
'We have had a nightmare of a time trying to sort it out. We cut it out and it grew back and cracked. Thankfully, it has gone now.
'The key events like Royal Ascot and the Newmarket July meeting have passed us by but we would expect him to race through to December when there are nice races in Hong Kong.
'He will be a bit rusty. His main target in the short-term is the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket (on October 16).'
Ted Durcan replaces the suspended Frankie Dettori on the colt, whose rivals include one-time Classic hope Awzaan.
Meanwhile, the BHA cranked up their funding battle with the betting industry by launching racingunited.co.uk where supporters can sign a charter demanding a government response to the financial plight of the sport.
The development was met with a predictable reaction in the PR war.
But battle lines are being reinforced with William Hill also calling for OFT intervention on rules surrounding the proposed sale of the Tote so it can bid.
- Iker Casillas breaks down in tears in emotional farewell
- Bastian Schweinsteiger in emotive promo as he leaves Munich
- Conor McGregor looking wild and ready at fierce UFC weigh-in
- Louis van Gaal confirms Matteo Darmian arrival at Man United
- Franck Ribery: Bayern team sad to see Schweinsteiger leave
- Micah Richards sings Usher hit during Aston Villa initiation
- Robin van Persie receives heroes welcome at Fenerbahce
- Young Manchester Utd fan cries over Robin van Persie sale
- Boris Becker discusses Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
- Mark Bunn sings during Aston Villa initiation
- FC Barcelona stars undergo pre-season fitness tests
- Brendan Rodgers: No personal issues with Raheem Sterling
- Manchester United XI: With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- Morgan Schneiderlin has medical with Manchester United as...
- Manchester United confirm Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan...
- David de Gea named in Manchester United squad for pre-season...
- Martin Demichelis marries former Playboy model Evangelina...
- Novak Djokovic hails family life following victory over...
- Gary Lineker hits out at Wimbledon after Lewis Hamilton was...
- Transfer news: Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Chelsea,...
- Raheem Sterling is leaving Liverpool but his recent...
- UFC 189: Conor McGregor stops Chad Mendes late in second...
- Bastian Schweinsteiger on way to England to finalise £15m...
- Robin van Persie won't be missed by Manchester United, and...