Francis Of Assisi makes a rare appearance on a British racecourse when he runs in the Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock ahead of another trip to Australia.
The Godolphin globetrotter won the Bendigo Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Victoria last year, and is one of the leading contenders for the Melbourne Cup in November.
Bought out of Aidan O’Brien’s yard by John Ferguson to go hurdling, he came up short against the best over jumps and was transferred to trainer Charlie Appleby, who has really found the key to the seven-year-old.
“He’s in good shape. He obviously had the spring off after his victories in Melbourne last year and he’s currently joint-favourite for the Melbourne Cup,” Appleby said.
“He’ll be making his way back down there. They start quarantine in the middle of September and we’ll get a run into him before he goes on the plane, He’s in great nick.
“I couldn’t be any happier with him and I’m looking forward to seeing him out and then he’ll be on his travels.”