Aqaleem almost certain to miss St Leger

Aug 31 2007 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

MARCUS TREGONING is now “pretty certain” that Aqaleem will miss the Ladbrokes St Leger at Doncaster on September 15.

On Thursday the Lambourn trainer said that the Sinndar colt was a major doubt for the final Classic of the campaign after he pulled muscles in his hindquarters.

Now the Epsom Derby third and one-time favourite for the 1m6f Classic has all but been ruled out of the race.

Tregoning said: “The horse is lame, I’m afraid, so I’m pretty certain he won’t be running in the Leger. It’s too close to the race and he’s not right,.”

Aqaleem has been removed from most bookmaker’s ante-post lists. The new favourite for the race is Aidan O’Brien-trained Honolulu, second in last week’s Ebor at York.

The Montjeu colt is a best-priced 7-2 with Irish firm Boylesports, ahead of stable-mate Soldier Of Fortune (5-1 Stan James, BetDirect, Better) and John Gosden’s Great Voltigeur Stakes winner Lucarno (5-1 BetDirect, Paddy Power, Boylesports, Better).

Meanwhile Merseyside jockey Martin Dwyer scored his 50th winner of the domestic Flat season yesterday.

He scored aboard 4-5 favourite Rockfield Lodge in division one of the Weatherbys Bank Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Lingfield.

The Stravinsky colt had gone close to losing her maiden tag at Haydock earlier this month and Jamie Osborne’s juvenile was a well-supported favourite yesterday. And punters collected once Dwyer broke through a gap and then held on by head from Sunny Sprite.

Dwyer said: “I am pleased to hit 50 winners and I hope I can keep it going for the rest of the season. Jamie’s horses are flying at the moment. He is doing really well with his two-year-olds and thankfully he is letting me ride them.”

TODAY’S NAP: Orpsie Boy (2.55pm Chester).