Francis Of Assisi fine after minor travel knock

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 3

Godolphin galloper Francis Of Assisi has shrugged off a minor travelling issue before stepping out at Werribee on Tuesday morning.

Advertisement
Francis Of Assisi thrashing his opposition at Flemington last spring. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Last year's Bendigo Cup and VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner is one of four Charlie Appleby-trained horses to arrive in Melbourne on the weekend along with Sandown Cup winner Qewy, Folkswood and Kidmenever.

Godolphin travelling foreman Chris Connett told RSN927 that Francis Of Assisi "gave himself a little superficial knock" while travelling but had quickly recovered.

"He gave himself a little superficial knock on the plane on the way down but he went out this morning and had a little trot around and he's all systems go," Connett said.

"He'll canter around tomorrow and we are very happy with him."

Connett said Appleby planned to run Francis Of Assisi first-up in the Caulfield Cup on October 21 and suggested Australian punters ignore his only 2017 run in which he finished more than 10 lengths from the winner in Group III company at Haydock on August 12.

"That run at Haydock wasn't obviously the greatest run but he has come on leaps and bounds since that run and he seems to thrive down here in Australia," Connett said.

Sportsbet has Francis Of Assisi as a $23 chance in Caulfield while Cornett said Appleby planned for Qewy to have a crack at back-to-back Geelong Cups first-up later this month.

Qewy has had two starts in 2017 for a fourth during the Royal Ascot carnival and a well-beaten effort at Group I level in the Goodwood Cup in August.

The Herbert Power Stakes is the likely first-up target for Kidmenever, whose last win came in the 2016 Swiss Derby while Folkswood, a son of Australian stallion Exceed And Excel will probably make his Australian debut in the Caulfield Stakes on Saturday week.

"He's a very interesting horse," Connett said of Folkswood.

"He ran a lifetime best out in Dubai when he just got beat in a Group I by Decorated Knight, who has come out and won two Group Is in Europe this year so the form really stacks up.

"We're on target to run in the Caulfield Stakes and Charlie and make a decision from there."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Millions Supplementary Finalized - See You in Heaven a New Addition
The build up to this month's Magic Millions National Weanling and Broodmare Sale continued today with the release of the completed supplementary catalogues.
HTBA Annual Awards Night Winners
Over 300 industry leaders, clients and supporters attended the Hunter Thoroughbred Association’s 34th Annual Awards night in Scone.
Mile ideal for So You Think colt
Do You Just steps up to a more suitable distance at Ellerslie and a bold showing is expected from the colt in his juvenile grand final.
Farmer Who Punted the Farm has Subdivision Windfall
In my many years of dealing with clients with breeding and racing properties, it has been very common to consult to them on the tax implications where there is a full or partial sale of the property for subdivision purposes.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 Doomben 10,000
The rich sprinting races roll on and it's Queensland's turn to take centre stage with the BRC’s running of the $1.5 million G1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m).
Riverbank's Attachment to Prince of Caviar
When the opportunity arose to stand Prince of Caviar at their Riverbank Farm, owners Russell and Caroline Osborne didn’t hesitate.
Capitalist 2YO Bolts in at Hawkesbury
Capitalist has been racking up the juvenile winners this season and added another to the tally at Hawkesbury on Thursday when the Nathan Doyle trained colt Hidden Motive won as he pleased.
HTBA Awards - Outstanding People Recognized
The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award honours the outstanding achievements of those in our industry who champion exceptional service to industry with hands-on practice and not at a safe distance.
New TBA Learning Modules
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to release two new modules on TBA Learning – The Australian thoroughbred industry’s home for online learning education.  
NZB 2025 Weanling Catalogue Now Online
The countdown to NZB’s 2025 National Weanling Sale is underway, with a compact yet quality catalogue of 134 youngsters now available to view online at www.nzb.co.nz.