Charlie Johnston’s star pupil Lazy Griff is set to make a return to the track next month after swerving Royal Ascot.
The Protectionist colt was a Group 3 winner at Chantilly as a two-year-old, and returned in excellent form last season. He was second to Lambourn twice in both the Chester Vase and the Epsom Derby. He was then third to Lambourn in the Irish Derby, before injury halted his campaign.
Lazy Griff returned with a pleasing third in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown, and now looks to kickstart his prior promise.
Speaking to the Press Association, via At The Races, Charlie Johnston said: “We half thought about going to the Ascot Gold Cup. We just felt we didn’t learn enough at Sandown about the trip. To then go in at that deep end over that distance.
“I actually half thought about the Hardwicke before it turned into practically a Group One on fast ground. There’s quite a few irons in the fire. He could go to the Coral Marathon next Friday or he could go to the Grand Prix de-Saint-Cloud next Sunday. One of those two is the most likely, I suppose Sandown is probably the slight favourite at the moment, but we’ll see.
“He’s in good order, he came out of his reappearance well and he’s ready to go again.”
Johnston looking for further International success
Lazy Griff isn’t the only Johnston runner traveling for success as Venetian Lace lines up in the Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday. Her participation was ground dependent, as she evidently thrives on a firmer surface.
Johnston told the Press Association, via Somerset County Gazette, that: “From the moment we were unsaddling her at Epsom I thought this was the obvious next step. We didn’t learn at Epsom whether she stayed or not – she was beaten too far out. But coming back to this intermediate trip made perfect sense for her next run.
“She’s in good order. Jason came in and had a sit on her this morning, so it’s all systems go subject to ground.”
The daughter of Masar struggled to cope with the worsening ground at Epsom. But prior to that, she was an excellent third in the 1000 Guineas. That form has worked out strongly already. The winner has placed behind Precise twice since in Group 1 company. Precise, who was seventh at Newmarket, landed the Coronation Cup last time beating 1000 Guineas sixth Touleen.