Rekindling future plans mapped out

Young Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien is in no rush to make any plans with Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling.

The son of champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, Joseph upstaged his father who trained runner-up Johannes Vermeer in Tuesday’s Cup, giving owner Lloyd Williams his sixth win and a one-two finish.

O’Brien said he was unsure of immediate plans for the Melbourne Cup winner.

Williams is keen for Rekindling to return to Europe and take on his older stayer Order Of St George, trained by Aidan O’Brien, in the Ascot Gold Cup during the Royal Ascot meeting in June.

“He’ll (Rekindling) have a little break,” O’Brien said.

“He might come back next season and try for the Ascot Gold Cup in the (European) summer.

“He seems to have pulled up well. He seems in good form there this morning.”

Just when he returns to Europe is still to be decided.

The trainer said Rekindling could head to Williams’ Macedon Lodge to spell on the spring grass which would delay his return to Europe, otherwise it could be as early as next week.

O’Brien hasn’t ruled out another shot at the Cup with Rekindling next year, but said a lot of things would have to go right to make a return.

“He’s had a busy year throughout and he seems to have got better throughout the year,” O’Brien said.

“His last run in Europe was probably his best and this (the Cup) was probably his career best.

“He’s an exciting horse for next season.”