Jim Goldie’s Royal Ascot winning sprinter will make a long-awaited return to the track in the Group 2 Minster Stakes at York on Wednesday. American Affair hasn’t been seen since his Ascot victory having recovered from a subsequent fetlock joint injury. Goldie hinted at the belief he may have been carrying the injury throughout last season, and suggested he could be even better this term.
Jim Goldie told the Racing Post: “He had bony changes in his fetlock joint. Once we’d found it on the MRI scan, we had to let it take its course by giving him a proper break. Whether we can get back to the level he was at, I don’t know. But he’s a very good horse and he might actually improve. The bones are always remodeling and I’ve got a notion it was there from the year before. If he was carrying that injury before, hopefully we can get him back there without an injury.
“We haven’t had any reoccurrence of it since he’s come back into full work. He went for a racecourse gallop at Musselburgh about a month ago and a day away often brings them on.”
American Affair returns to the scene of his last foray in handicap company, having won the Lindum York Handicap. He’ll face 12 rivals, in a race littered with Group 1 quality including Haydock Sprint Cup winner Big Mojo.
“He doesn’t look like a Group 1 horse at the moment” – Jim Goldie
While many will be looking forward to seeing how he fairs on this return, Goldie issued a slight warning. “He’s been galloping for the last three months and has been working well” said Goldie.
“He’s maybe getting a little bit lazier but he is a year older.
“I think he’ll improve for the outing. I’d be happier if it was over five furlongs but he ran well at York last year. He’s won over a stiff five at Ascot, so six at York should be well within his stamina.
“The only negative is our spring has been very late this year. He doesn’t look like a Group 1 horse at the moment as he’s still to get his coat yet. All roads lead to Ascot and we’ll see what we think after he’s run at York.”
Having had to be patient since June, it would be no surprise to see American Affair run below par here, with the Royal meeting likely to be the main aim.