In the immediate aftermath following the thrilling performance of Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) in Saturday's G1 Darley July Cup, Henry Candy threw out the possibility of the 4-year-old lining up over a mile in the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood later this month. However upon reflection that prospect now seems unlikely with Candy keen on giving Paul Jacobs' gelding more time to recover from his Newmarket exertions.
“Limato was still very excitable when he returned to the yard and was very chuffed with himself,” said Candy. “He was throwing his head around and slightly banged the top of his head and also had a scrape near his eye. In view of all that, I'd say he probably took more out of himself then I originally thought and I think the Sussex will come too soon now.”
Candy will therefore set his sights on preparing Limato for the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville Aug. 7, a race won last year by Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), but again the ground will be a factor on whether he ultimately takes up that engagement.
The trainer is in the fortunate position in that if the ground does come up soft in France he has a ready made substitute for the race in Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}). The dual Group 1 winner found conditions too quick for his liking in the July Cup, eventually finishing 14th.
“If the ground is right Limato will go to Deauville, and if it doesn't suit him then Twilight Son could run there. It's very likely Twilight Son will run at Haydock in the Sprint Cup next, but Deauville is there if we want to.”
Without wishing to take away from the achievements of Twilight Son, Candy feels Limato's running style makes him more of a hit with the racing public. “He'd have to be the most exciting sprinter I've trained,” admitted the trainer.
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