International cups raider St Francis of Assisi suffers injury during flight to Melbourne

GODOLPHIN has dismissed fears over international raider Francis Of Assisi after the major cups contender suffered an injury while travelling to Australia.

William Buick salutes in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Francis of Assisi. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

GODOLPHIN has dismissed fears over Francis Of Assisi after the major cups contender suffered a minor injury while travelling to Australia.

Dominant winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Bendigo Cup last spring, Francis Of Assisi has been restricted to walking after knocking his nearside foreleg on the flight to Melbourne.

But Charlie Appleby’s travelling foreman Chris Connett is unconcerned.

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William Buick salutes in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Francis of Assisi. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“He had a little knock on the plane on the way, something superficial, he will go out on the track tomorrow, nothing major,” Connett said.

“The main target is the Caulfield Cup for him, it is just under three weeks away now, which is perfect for him, we are very happy.”

Francis Of Assisi is a TAB $26 chance in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Stablemates Kidmenever, Folkswood and Qewy, winner of the Geelong and Sandown Cups last spring before finishing fourth in the Melboure Cup, worked lightly at Werribee.

While Qewy is expected to return to Geelong as his pipe-opener, both Folkswood and Kidmenever could be among several internationals to target the October 14 Caulfield Guineas meeting.

Jockey William Buick and trainer Charlie Appleby celebrate after Francis of Assisi won last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“With Folkswood his first target is the Caulfield Stakes, so we will run there and then see how he goes and Charlie will make a decision after that and see where we are at,” Connett said.

“Kidmenever is also pencilled in for the same day, he will run in the Herbert Power, again we will see how he runs and make plans from there. Everything is pretty fluid at the moment.”

While most of the visitors are still in the throes of gently upping their workload, Ireland’s Wicklow Brave and Riven Light worked keenly on the synthetic track.

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Originally published as International cups raider St Francis of Assisi suffers injury during flight to Melbourne