Disappointment as Triple Honour Withdraws from Epsom
One of the major horse racing events during the Sydney Spring Carnival is the Epsom Handicap. This racing event is held every year at the Randwick Racecourse and is a spectacular Group 1 event that attracts some of the biggest names in racing. Triple Honour was one of those big names set to take part in the Epsom Handicap, which takes place on Saturday 4 October 2008, but has been withdrawn by his trainer Chris Waller, to everyone’s disappointment.
Horse racing fans and members of the industry had marked Triple Honour as the top racehorse to be competing in the Spring Carnival and the best in Sydney. In his last start, Triple Honour was not performing as he should have, deeply concerning his trainer. Tests and veterinary examinations have not been able to locate the origin for Triple Honour’s demeanor and Chris Waller therefore made the decision to withdraw him from the race. Triple Honour has been extremely lethargic and his coat has lost his shine. These are indications that something is going on with this magnificent athlete, but no-one seems able to pinpoint the cause. Waller does have his own suspicions, saying: “I basically just think that he’s a horse that could be still going through a growing phase.” He went on to comment: “He’s got a big frame and hasn’t filled out into it properly and maybe just that run first-up with the big weight against the weight-for-age horses took its toll.”
Even though the wonderful Triple Honour will not be taking his place in the starting gates on Saturday, there will still be an amazing line up to look forward to at the Randwick Racecourse. Other horses taking part in the Epsom Handicap include All Silent, Reining To Win, Mentality, Raheeb and Gallant Tess. Even though Raheeb will be going out as the race favorite, trainer John O’Shea has warned competitors to be on the lookout for Reigning To Win, as he has every confidence in his horse that if any horse can cause an upset at the Epsom Handicap, it will be Reigning To Win. The Epsom Handicap has always been a horse racing event that is looked forward to by horsemen and spectators alike, and especially since the race was cancelled last year due to the outbreak of equine influenza, this year is highly anticipated.
