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Multiple Group 1 winners return to Australia up in the air
Addeybb (Pivotal) - who landed last year’s Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) - could miss his second trip to Australia amid continued uncertainty due to travel restrictions surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The William Haggas-trained gelding, who posted a career best performance when adding a third elite level race to his CV when landing the Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) at Ascot in October, could be forced to forego his trip to Sydney if Haggas’ staff are refused entry into Australia.
Under the current guidelines the staff need to depart for Sydney by Monday 8 February and complete two weeks in quarantine, while Addeybb is due to start quarantine in Newmarket on February 11 until February 25.
The son of Pivotal (Polar Falcon) was entered for the Saudi Cup (1800m) in Riyadh on February 26 which Haggas has already ruled out, while he has also been nominated for the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1, 2410m) on World Cup night at Meydan next month.
"He's not going to go to Saudi,” said Haggas. “At the moment, we're hoping to go to Australia to run in the same two races he won last year, but it is in the balance, because getting the staff there is the tricky bit.
"We couldn't do Australia and Saudi Arabia and the race in Saudi Arabia is a little bit short and a brand new surface (dirt) for him, whereas Australia is tried and tested."
Should the Australian plan not come to fruition, Addeybb is likely to head to Meydan.
"Australia is our favoured course of action and Dubai is a very valuable and exciting back-up,” said Haggas.
"The horses go into equine quarantine (for Australia) on February 11 and have to do two weeks before flying out, but my staff have to do two weeks quarantine in a hotel when they get to Australia.
"The staff need to leave before the horses go into quarantine here, because if that doesn't happen, they won't be there in time to greet the horses, which is no good. The staff would need to go next week.
"If it doesn't happen, Dubai will be the next target. The horse seems in very good form."
