Beaten Caracciola heading to Japan

Caracciola’s connections have decided not to put their 12 year old veteran stayer out to pasture following his disappointing run in yesterday’s Goodwood Cup.

The veteran had been priced among the favourites for the group 2 race over 2 miles, but eventually lost out to a clutch of younger racehorses, led by Saeed bin Suroor’s Schiaparelli.

Despite finishing a country mile behind Schiaparelli, owner Piers Pottinger believes that his racehorse has one more good run left in him, and will send him to Japan to compete in the 2 mile 2 furlong Sports Nippon Sho Stayers Stakes.

“The ground was not ideal but he was staying on very well at the end and we’re still on for the trip to Japan later in the year,” Pottinger was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “We’re really hoping the Japanese will realise he’s a bit of a star and make a fuss of him.”

However, the former national hunt racehorse won’t required to go back to the office just yet. He’ll be returning to the national hunt format first, and will also benefit from having regular trainer, Nicky Henderson, at his side when the trainer returns from a ban.

“He will now go off to Fiona Marner at Kingwood Stud for a good rest,” Pottinger concluded. “Then we might bring him back for the Cheltenham meeting in November for a prep-run for hurdles. He is always best fresh for jumping.”