DERMOT WELD will attempt to extend his international success story to Canada this weekend when Famous Name takes part in the $1 million Woodbine Mile in Toronto on Sunday night, writes Brian O’Connor.
Weld’s willingness to travel the world for Group One winning opportunities has famously seen him score at the top-level in eight countries in his career, including the USA, Australia and Hong Kong as well as throughout Europe.
Canada will be new territory for the trainer who is anxious to secure a maiden Group One victory for Famous Name who has finished runner-up in three top-ranked races in his career to date. The Juddmonte-owned horse was last to Cape Blanco in the Irish Champion Stakes earlier this month, only beaten just over seven lengths, but his best form includes a second in the 2008 French Derby and last year’s Prix Du Moulin. Another intended Irish starter in Woodbine next Sunday is the David Wachman-trained Latin Love who is set to run in the Grade Two Canadian Stakes.
Listowel’s Day Two festival card includes the €30,000 Premier Nursery in which Brittany could be the best of a strong Aidan O’Brien-trained trio.
Kotkidy is the youngest runner in the novice chase field but Henry De Bromhead’s ex-French four year old gets plenty of weight from his seniors and there was plenty to like about his chase victory at Killarney during the summer.
