John Quinn’s improving sprinter Mr Wagyu has been given the all-clear to add to his laurels in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid at Ripon on Saturday.
The six-year-old began the season with a rating of 70 on May 1 and his win at Goodwood last time out has seen him put up to a career high mark of 99.
Goodwood was his fifth win of the season, and a 13th in all, and Quinn now has his sights set on the highlight of the season at Ripon.
“We’re happy with him, he’s come out of Goodwood very well and we’re intending to run him,” said the Malton handler.
“This horse was a nice horse in his younger days but then he lost his way a bit. He’s come back better than ever this season.
“Of course it gives you great satisfaction when that happens, it’s great for everyone in the yard – the lads and the lasses have done a great job looking after him.
“I don’t know where it’s come from, this improvement. He wintered well and we were happy with him but I never thought he’d do what he’s done – but we’re delighted.”
Quinn ‘toying’ with Pontefract outing for Keep Busy
Keep Busy could have her first six-furlong outing in over a year in Sunday’s EBF Stallions Highfield Farm Flying Fillies’ Stakes at Pontefract.
The John Quinn-trained four-year-old has run some good races in top company this season, as well as winning a Listed race at Ayr.
She finished fifth in the King George Stakes at Goodwood last time out when Quinn felt she was a little outpaced, so he is looking at options over further.
“We’re toying with the idea of running on Sunday,” said Quinn.
“She’s running really well at the moment but she’s just getting run off her legs over five furlongs on these quick tracks.
“She won over six twice as a two-year-old and won a Listed race over five and a half. I think she’s versatile but on these quick tracks they just get her at it, so we are thinking about Sunday.
“The winner at Goodwood is probably very, very good but I think they took each other on up front and then got into a battle. We decided to hold Liberty Beach up for a chance but then she got squeezed and a furlong out I thought Keep Busy was really going to do something, but then the pendulum swung right round to the stands side who looked massively favoured in the last 100 yards.
“So while the French filly (Suesa) is possibly very, very good, she could have been flattered as it was a funny race.
“We were delighted with Keep Busy, though, she ran well, but we’re thinking of stepping her up in trip.”
