Travel woe for Workforce
Sir Michael Stoute’s colt, a red-hot favourite for Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, took 18 hours to reach his stable in the quarantine barn at Churchill Downs – with only eight hours spent actually in the air.
Stoute’s travelling head groom Stuart Messenger stressed that Workforce had taken the exertions well, but said “a lesson would have to be learned” from the journey which ended at 10pm on Saturday night.
Stoute is due to arrive in Louisville on Tuesday.
Messenger observed: “The journey over was far from satisfactory, but all credit to the horse who is showing that great temperament of his – you would think he’d been doing it all his life.
“When he got here he was straight into his food, which is just what you want to see, and I would think he’d stretch his legs on the turf course on Tuesday.”
Reflecting on the journey from Stansted to Louisville International Airport over the weekend, Messenger added: “While it was 18 hours door to door, only eight hours was flying time as there were several delays.
“The airport is just four miles from the track but a bomb scare meant we were delayed after landing and then, when we arrived at Churchill Downs, there was another big delay owing to vetting checks and paperwork before they got the horse off the box.
“It would have been much better for the 19 horses from the flight to get straight into the barn and it is fortunate they took it well.
“It could easily have been a different story, and I think there are lessons to be learned before we come back here next year.
“It’s a big thing as there’s a lot to lose as well as so much to gain.
“We would love to keep him in training as a four-year-old next year.”
