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Nostrum's future plans have been put on hold after the colt finished lame during the Strensall Stakes at York on Saturday. Last season, the Juddmonte-owned 3YO finished third in the Dewhurst at Newmarket behind Chaldean.
Nostrum missed the start of this season after suffering a setback in the spring. While Nostrum won a Listed race at Newmarket last month, he was beaten by Epictetus in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood and came last of the six runners in another Group Three event on the Knavesmire on Saturday.
It is uncertain if Nostrum will run again this season, as the exact cause of his poor performance is still being investigated by his connections.
“He was lame behind on the day and it will be investigated a bit more today and tomorrow,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon on Monday. “I don’t think it’s anything too sinister from what Sir Michael was saying, he thought it might have been more muscular than anything, but until we check it out we’ll wait and see. We won’t know what the plan is until we get all the results back and see what was causing the niggle.
“It was disappointing, but it would be worse if there was no reason for it. The main thing is getting him right as we know the talent is there and the ability is there, it’s just about getting him right.”
Bluestocking: A Filly Of Promise
Bluestocking, a runner from Juddmonte, delivered an impressive performance at York, finishing fourth and only three and a half lengths behind. This filly from Ralph Beckett's stable has already secured a third-place finish in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and was narrowly denied victory by Savethelastdance in the Irish Oaks. Now, her team must decide whether to scale back her ambitions or take a shot at another Group One contest on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot.
Mahon added, “I thought she ran a lovely race and she’s a filly that’s probably still a little bit on the weak side when you watch her going round the ring compared to some of the opposition. I thought it was noticeable that there’s still a little bit of weakness in her and I think she’s filly that will be better next year, but she’s running to a high level of form. A little bit more ease in the ground probably suits her a little better and I’m sure there’ll be good days to be had with her along the way.
“We haven’t really decided where we go next, we need to discuss that with the owners. We touched on it after the race whether we drop in class and win a race this year or she goes to the fillies’ race on Ascot on Champions Day. We’ll let her get over York and speak with the owners and then decide in the coming weeks.”
Mahon gave an update on Chaldean, the 2000 Guineas winner, who took a break after a disappointing performance in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville in July. The horse, trained by Andrew Balding and sired by Frankel, is currently being prepared for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day. A prep run at Newmarket is also planned.
“I think Andrew in the back of his head is slightly thinking of the Joel Stakes,” said Mahon. “He’s back in Kingsclere and cantering away and we sort of said we’d just monitor and see how he goes closer to the time, but Andrew was thinking Joel Stakes and then the QEII.”