Racing
Asfoora sparks up for latest UK assignment.
After some R & R in Newmarket, Asfoora has bounced back ahead on her next scheduled appearance at Goodwood.
Trainer Henry Dwyer has reset the international program of Asfoora after her unplaced effort at Royal Ascot.
After winning at Royal Ascot last year, Asfoora finished fifth in the corresponding King Charles III Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot on June 17.
A difficult program in getting Asfoora to England for the defence of her title did not go to plan, so Dwyer sent the mare to the paddock for two weeks to recuperate.
Dwyer has programmed Asfoora to run in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood on August 1 with the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 23 seen as the mare's main target.
Asfoora flew into the UK later than last year for her Royal Ascot assignment, which Dwyer said ultimately took a toll on the mare.
"It was all a rush getting here with the flights and the hot weather and her settling in, so it didn't really work for us leading up to Ascot," Dwyer told RSN.
"She had been a bit lethargic, so we threw a set of blinkers on her just because I didn't think she was fully applying herself, but I think it was her being a bit flat as well."
Following Royal Ascot, Dwyer took advantage of sending Asfoora to fellow Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani's parents farm at Newmarket.
Dwyer said it was a luxury to send the mare there for a break.
"Since the day she got here it's been really, really hot," Dwyer said.
"I don't know what it is, but it feels hotter over here. They all complain when it's 30 or 32c and it's been a heatwave.
"I think it's more humid and it really knocked her about.
"After Ascot she was really flat for two or three days, so we bit the bullet and tipped her out completely and when I picked her up, she had put on 20-25 kilos, which she needed to, and she's been a lot brighter and bouncing around the place.
"For the first time in three or four months since she's been racing, this time it's the first time that I've been happy with her where we are on an upward trajectory rather than on a downward one.
"She just blew out at Ascot late because she didn't have the right preparation, but I reckon she will be spot on at York and a good chance at Goodwood along the way through."
Asfoora won't be the only Australian representative at the Goodwood meeting with Carl Spackler down to run in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes on July 30.
The Irish-bred galloper who raced in the US before being purchased by Yulong and transferred into the care of Ciaron Maher, is expected to make his way to Australia following that assignment.
Carl Spackler ran in the opening race at Royal Ascot, finishing sixth in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Maher said options in Australia for Carl Spackler could include the King Charles III Stakes at Randwick the Champions Mile at Flemington or the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
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