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29/07/10 Scenic Blast Set To Go
A “minor setback has forced California trainer John Shirreffs to change paths” with Australia's multiple Gr1-winning 4YO gelding & 2008-09 Australian Horse-Of-The-Year Scenic Blast (Scenic-Daughter's Charm, by Delgado) who will now tackle this Sunday’s US$250,000 Gr1 Bing Crosby Stakes (6 furlongs) at Del Mar in California, reported The West Australian. Shirreffs originally planned to enter Scenic Blast for tonight’s US$75,000 Listed Wickerr Stakes (8 furlongs on turf) at Del Mar, but managing owner Elio Galante confirmed that “after suffering from an infection” Scenic Blast “lost a week's work, so John didn't want to step him up to the 1600m (8 furlongs). He was on antibiotics for 5 days, but is completely over it now. All things going well, he'll run a super race (on Sunday).” Scenic Blast (who motored home from last-in-running to finish 4th at his US debut in the Kerlan Memorial over 6 furlongs at Hollywood Park on June 27) worked impressively over 5 furlongs in 59.80sec last Friday & Shirreffs is ultimately aiming him toward the US$1.2 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (5 furlongs) on November 6. During 2009 Scenic Blast (an $85,000 yearling at the 2006 Magic Millions Perth Premier Sale) won both Australia's Gr1 Crown Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington & Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington, plus the UK Gr1 King's Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) at Royal Ascot; he then contested the last 2 legs of the 2009 Global Sprint Championship in Japan (October) & Hong Kong (December), but suffered a bleeding attack during the Gr1 HK International Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin. The owners then sent him to Shirreffs in California, where the racing rules allow treatment with Lasix (which reduces the effects of bleeding in the lungs). Scenic Blast was given 2 months in the spelling paddock on his arrival in the US last January (to allow recovery from his Northern Hemisphere trip) before beginning work at the Shirreffs stable at Hollywood Park.