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| Sumita Pawar |
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Bay Bridge, owned by James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud, will only be unleashed by Sir Michael Stoute when there is easier ground available.
Despite his recent setbacks, including a second-place finish to Luxembourg in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and a seventh-place finish in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, Bay Bridge's trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, has not ruled out the possibility of him competing in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Bay Bridge's Redemption: A Missed Opportunity
Last season, Bay Bridge was the favorite in the Coral Eclipse but finished fourth to Vadeni. This year, however, his connections decided against entering him in the renewal of the race.
In October, Bay Bridge earned top-class honours by defeating both 2021 Derby winner Adayar and the previously unbeaten multiple Group One winner Baaeed in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Sir Michael Stoute will carefully choose the right moment for Bay Bridge, taking into consideration the ground conditions.
He said, “There are no plans for Bay Bridge, we want some nice in the juice in the ground for him.”
Last year's impressive Epsom Derby winner suffered a minor ankle injury and missed the rest of the season.
After a 355-day break, he was narrowly beaten by Hukum in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May. He showed promise in his training leading up to the Prince of Wales's Stakes but was withdrawn from the race due to lameness after a routine workout.
“The hitch he had was very minor and when they investigated there was nothing,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Saeed Suhail, who owns the colt.
“He missed a few days, unfortunately at the wrong time. He was just a bit lame, they go lame, don’t they?
“I just know that he is cantering and in full exercise. I would be hopeful, but can’t tell you when he’ll run, as I don’t know. I would be hopeful it would be the King George, but that decision will be up to Sir Michael.
“I very much like what I’ve been seeing from him when cantering. He looked a bigger, stronger horse at Sandown. I don’t think there is anything to worry about at all.”
Stoute has not yet decided on Desert Crown's next race, but the horse is entered in several prestigious events including the Ascot middle-distance showpiece, the Juddmonte International at York, and the Irish Champion Stakes.
Stoute added, “No, we haven’t got any plans for him yet. He is back cantering. He is on the move again.
“We are not going to make any plans yet. We’re not going to do anything yet, we’ll wait until we get him in strong work, but I don’t know yet when that will be.”