Dermot Weld reports Rite Of Passage to be showing the right signs ahead of his bid to reclaim the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
A 20-1 winner of the Group One marathon in 2010, Rite Of Passage was the early favourite for that year’s Melbourne Cup but did not make the trip to Australia.
He was forced to miss the Ascot Gold Cup last summer after suffering a setback.
“I’m glad to say it’s good news with him. He’s back in light exercise and he’ll be prepared for the Gold Cup again,” Weld told At The Races.
“He’ll reappear in the Saval Beg, all being well. I’m very positive about him. I’m very happy with his progress and late spring will be when you’ll see him.
“You won’t see him this year over jumps. In the coming year certainly his first major target will be to try to win the Ascot Gold Cup again.”
Weld is looking forward to campaigning Emulous overseas next season after the filly got off the mark at the highest level in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
“She deserved to win her Group One and the good news is we look forward to having her in training next year,” he said.
“She’s been progressive, we’ve campaigned her carefully, but she’s got to go on the international route now and it will be interesting to see how she gets on.”
Weld is hoping his grand servant Famous Name can finally open his Group One account in 2012 after several near-misses during his long career.
The entire has won eight Group Three races among 14 successes, but has fallen short at the highest level.
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