Kinane to ride Galileo in King George
Michael Kinane has secured the ride aboard Galileo in Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes after an improbable journey through the Irish legal system.
After his appeal against a two-day suspension for careless riding that was to be served July 28-29 was rejected by the Irish Turf Club on Friday morning, Kinane and his lawyers went to the High Court in Dublin seeking a stay against the penalty.
There, with Johnny Murtagh waiting in the wings as Galileo's replacement rider, Kinane was granted his injunction, freeing him to partner Galileo, the 4-7 favorite, in the King George at Ascot.
Kinane will still have to serve his two-day suspension, but at a later date to be set by the Irish Turf Club.
* The Prix Robert Papin, the first French Group 2 race of the season for 2-year-olds, promises to be a contentious affair on the straight 5-1/2-furlong course at Maisons-Laffitte Sunday.
It will feature the first three finishers from the 5-furlong Group 3 Prix du Bois in Ziria, Dobby Road and Zipping. There was just a short neck and a head separating them at Chantilly on July 3 and there is no telling how they might sort themselves out this time.
Gerald Mosse has chosen to stay with the victorious Prix du Bois filly Ziria, a daughter of Danehill Dancer, rather than partner Dulce de Leche, whom he rode to finish a neck second in the listed Prix La Fleche at Maisons-Laffitte on June 14. Dominique Boeuf inherits the ride on 'Dulce' but the choice is the John Dunlop-trained British invader Massarra.
Massarra, by Danehill out of the French Oaks winner Rafha, is a half sister to two-time Group 3 winner Sadian. She has won a Goodwood maiden and the listed Empress Stakes at six furlongs in her last two starts and picks up the services of Thierry Jarnet.
for King George VI and Queen Elizaberth S. PPs and for Alan Shuback's King George VI and Queen Elizaberth S. graded entries.
TV COVERAGE:
ESPN NEWS: "Road to the World Thoroughbred Championships"
July 28 - King George VI and Queen Elizaberth S. (live), 10:45-10:55 a.m. (EDT).