Tag Archive for: Isle Of Jura

Isle Of Jura pencilled in for late September comeback

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Long-term absentee Isle Of Jura has had his comeback date put back slightly, but trainer George Scott remains delighted with his progress.

A Royal Ascot winner in the Hardwicke Stakes last summer having already won the Bahrain Triple Crown, he is likely to be a flag bearer for his connections, the new amalgamation Victorious Forever.

Isle Of Jura was being aimed at the September Stakes on September 6, but that race will come too soon.

“We’ve bumped him back a bit. There’s a Listed race at Newmarket (Godolphin Stakes, September 26) or a race at Goodwood (Foundation Stakes, September 24), but I couldn’t be more pleased with his progress,” said Scott.

“His issue hasn’t raised its head whatsoever and he’s using one of those races, hopefully, as a stepping stone to the Bahrain International at the beginning of November. I’m very excited about him.”

Another heading to Bahrain eventually is prolific winner and Chester Cup and Royal Ascot second Caballo De Mar.

“He goes to Haydock next Saturday for the Old Borough Cup,” said Scott.

“He’s a funny horse at home, he wouldn’t beat the lowest-rated horse in the yard on the gallops but he’s got a really good record on the track.

“He was bought by Victorious with the winter season in Bahrain in mind and then hopefully look at Dubai.”

Bay City Roller was an unbeaten juvenile for the team winning the Champagne Stakes last year but has had his opportunities limited this term due to unsuitable going, while he was slow to start when most recently seen in the York Stakes.

“The season has been so frustrating for Bay City Roller and I really do believe he’s a top-class horse, he just needs a pattern of races to get into the season,” said Scott.

“We missed the break at York by six lengths, which was a shame as we blotted our copybook. We wouldn’t have beaten the first two but we’d have beaten the other two three-year-olds and everyone would have been very positive about him. He just needs a bit of cut.”

Isle Of Jura pencilled in for September Stakes return

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George Scott has earmarked Kempton’s Unibet September Stakes for Isle Of Jura’s long-awaited comeback, with his stable star pleasing the Newmarket handler since returning to work.

A stand-out performer for the Eve Lodge team, he is unbeaten in his last five after building on his money-spinning success in Bahrain back on home soil, but he has been on the sidelines since registering a memorable victory in last year’s Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, anticipation is now building that the long road to recovery is coming to an end, with Scott optimistic the five-year-old will be ready for action on the Sunbury all-weather on September 6.

Scott said: “He’s great and back in fast work and I think we can slightly begin to dream he will be back again as he’s taken some very significant steps forwards and is in great shape. His issue is handling great and it is really exciting.

“He’s going to go to the September Stakes, that will be his race and fits well with my plan to go for the Bahrain International.

“At least now we can be optimistic and start to make these plans and look forward to getting him back. We’ve jumped a lot of hurdles now and it would just be very unlucky if we didn’t see him in the September Stakes, he’s really doing well.

“He will have been off the track for a long time by the time we get to the September Stakes so in my head I will be thinking anything there is a bonus, but he’s a special racehorse to us.”

Trainer George Scott has his stable star to look forward to
Trainer George Scott has his stable star to look forward to (David Davies/PA)

If all goes to plan for the Victorious Racing-owned Isle Of Jura in his Kempton return, then he will swiftly be on his travels in search of further riches in the Middle East, with Scott planning an ambitious winter programme.

Scott added: “He’ll spend his winter abroad and I imagine he will go to Bahrain and then move onto something like the Jebel Hatta (Meydan) and the Neom Turf Cup (Riyadh) and then back to Dubai for World Cup night, but that is a long way off.

“There’s unbelievable money in these races abroad and he loves fast ground and flat tracks so it just makes perfect sense.”

Isle Of Jura targeting September Stakes reappearance

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Isle Of Jura is on course to make his long-awaited comeback in the September Stakes at Kempton.

The son of New Approach has been off the track for more than a year following his impressive win in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot last season.

The five-year-old is back in work but Scott will not rush a racecourse return as he prepares Isle Of Jura for a campaign in the Middle East.

Scott said: “Isle Of Jura is great. I’m really, really happy with him. He’s had a few weeks cantering now.

“We’re tentatively aiming for the September Stakes at Kempton as a prep run for a Middle Eastern campaign which can start in Bahrain for the Bahrain International.

“It’s a little way away at the moment, but we’re pleased with the way he’s coming along and we’re thinking of Kempton for his return.”