Picture: the familiar Nick Jonsson cyclamen and spectrum green colours were worn by Christophe Soumillon when bringing home the William Haggas-trained Galileo colt Klondike in a Gr 3 over a mile and four-and-a-half furlongs at Deauville in France on August 3. Credit: Racing Post/Burton
The four-year-old Galileo colt Klondike, whom leading Durban owner Nick Jonsson owns in partnership with John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Fittocks Stud, is entered in the Ebor Handicap to be run over 1 mile 5 furlongs and 188 yards (2,787 metres) on Saturday August 24 at York, a race which holds win-and-you’re-in status for the Melbourne Cup.
However, he was automatically entered after winning a Listed race at York and Jonsson said he would not run in the Ebor because off an official rating of 114 he would have to carry too much weight (10 stone 2 pounds).
Klondike has struck as an out and out stayer from his debut when winning a maiden over a mile and three furlongs in soft going at Newbury.
He now has a useful staying record and has won three of eight starts, including a Listed event over a mile and six furlongs at York and a Gr 3 over a mile and four-and-a-half furlongs at Deauville in France on August 3.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HIS WIN AT DEAUVILLE
An encouraging aspect about Klondike’s future is that trainer William Haggas has discovered that contrary to his earlier predictions this horse needs good ground. Klondike used that to his advantage in the race at Deauville, run in good ground, where he ran handy and led two furlongs out.
His liking of faster ground will augur well if he does one day have a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
Nick said that instead of the Ebor Klondike will probably be running in a Gr 2 event at Deauville on August 29.
