Geoff Woodruff’s Triple Crown winner Louis The King could be gelded
There is a possibility that Louis The King will be gelded following his poor run in last Saturday’s R2-million President’s Champion Challenge at Turffontein.
Last year’s Triple Crown winner was close up turning for home but started fading from the 400m. In the end jockey Piere Strydom did not persevere with him and the son of Black Minnaloushe trailed in at the back of the field, 14.50 lengths behind the winner, Wylie Hall.
“We are not sure, we think we are losing the battle and he is haemoconcentrating,” said Trainer Geoff Woodruff on Tuesday. “We still need to do a lot more tests but that’s what appears to be happening.”
“He pulled up sound but it means his blood is not moving around as much as it should.”
Geoff Woodruff – tough call to advise on
Should that be the case it means “Louis” either has to be sent off to stud or he will need to be gelded. “A lot of things need to be spoken about. I don’t want to see the horse go to stud and then get moved all over the place because he is not producing. In the meantime he misses out on some races he could have won.
“The kinder option, I think, is to geld him because I think he has a lot of good racing left in him,” added Woodruff.
In other news from Champions Day trainer Weiho Marwing President’s Champions Challenge winner Wylie Hall will go straight into the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July on Saturday 4 July without having a warm-up run. “He doesn’t need prep runs, he runs well fresh so why go and still run the horse,” said Marwing.
“He has had two tough races so I will freshen him up at home. It’s not as if he still has to qualify. He is in and there’s no need to push him.
“I am very happy with him. He took Saturday’s race very well and he pulled up well.”
Wylie Hall was first past the post in last year’s Durban July but lost the race to Legislate on an objection.
www.tabnews.com
