English stayer Lord Van Percy has recovered from the injury that forced him to miss a shot at the Melbourne Cup and will go around in the Group 2 $350,000 Deadly Design Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Lord Van Percy is set to run in the Zipping Classic at Sandown. Photo Race Horse Photos Australia.
Lord Van Percy was declared a late scratching for the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Derby Day last Saturday week when he was found to be lame in the off fore leg.
The Andrew Balding trained stayer was looking to secure a spot in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington last Tuesday by winning the Lexus Stakes but those plans were thrown into chaos when he missed a run in the Melbourne Cup qualifying race.
OTI Racing’s Simon O’Donnell, who share in the ownership of Lord Van Percy, said that the English galloper has recovered from his setback and would head to Sandown on Saturday.
“It looks like we will run him in the mile-and-a-half race (Zipping Classic) next Saturday and work out what to do after that,” O’Donnell told AAP.
Lord Van Percy’s future plans have yet to be drafted but O’Donnel is not ruling out a trip to Dubai for the Group 2 US$1m DRC Gold Cup (3200m) at Meydan on March 28 during the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
“It is something we have to still work out,” O’Donnell said.
“Andrew has indicated he would like to take him back with him and take him to Dubai and that is something we will have a think about.”
Lord Van Percy has five wins in England on his record from nineteen starts and includes a win three starts back in the £80,000 Bet365 Summer Handicap (1 mile 6 furlongs) at Goodwood on July 29 before running second to Mutual Regard in the £265,000 Betfred Ebor (Heritage Hanidcap) (1mile, 6 furlongs) at York on August 23.
Balding also gave Lord Van Percy one run in Australia in his build up to the Melbourne Cup and the Sir Percy gelding ran fifth to Big Memory in the Group 2 $200,000 Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 11.
