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Maljoom unlikely for Summer Mile if rain continues

3 minute read

Maljoom is unlikely to turn out for the Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot on Saturday if the expected rain continues.

COROEBUS winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in England.
COROEBUS winning the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Winner of the German 2000 Guineas as a three-year-old before a promising half-length fourth in the Group 1 St James's Palace Stakes, the William Haggas-trained colt has been plagued with injuries and raced once in 2023.

He returned after a break with a third in the Listed Paradise Stakes in early May and filled the same position behind Charyn in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over the same distance at Royal Ascot.

The son of Caravaggio has never raced on ground slower than good-to-soft and he is unlikely to return to Ascot on Saturday if the ground is soft.

"I would love to run him, but I don't want to run him if it's quite soft," Haggas told Sky Sports Racing.

"I think there's rain coming through today and tomorrow and then it is dry for the rest of the week, so we'll see what Ascot brings.

"The ground is key, I don't want to be running on the soft I'm afraid. He needs to be winning next time and we need everything in his favour.

"He was beaten a long way at Ascot but he's getting better and that is the most important thing, with each run he's got better and he's getting his confidence back. I don't think you've seen half of it yet.

"I'd love it to be good to firm, I don't think it's going to be that but if it's good that will be fine.

"If he doesn't run at Ascot, he'll go to Leopardstown next Thursday."


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