Godolphin strike out with Gold

GODOLPHIN have all but ruled out any hope they had of getting Passion For Gold to Epsom in time for the Investec Derby.

Third behind St Nicholas Abbey in the Beresford Stakes, he then won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud by six lengths.

Earlier in the month he was ruled out of his intended prep for the Derby, the Dante Stakes at York, with a pulled back muscle which looks like keeping him off the track longer than first feared.

“He’ll be back in the second half of the season. He’s pulled muscles, unfortunately, but he’s a horse I like a lot,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“He had a nice winter in Dubai and he was going well, everything had gone right but then he pulled a muscle.

“We know he’s a good horse, he’s already a Group One winner last year and we see his future as a mile-and-a-half horse.

“He’s too good to rush so we are going to give him time.

“When he is 100% sound and healthy we’ll find a race for him.

“He’s a horse I like a lot, but it’s too early to have a race in mind for his comeback.”