Francis Of Assisi fine after minor travel knock

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 3

Godolphin galloper Francis Of Assisi has shrugged off a minor travelling issue before stepping out at Werribee on Tuesday morning.

Advertisement
Francis Of Assisi thrashing his opposition at Flemington last spring. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Last year's Bendigo Cup and VRC Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner is one of four Charlie Appleby-trained horses to arrive in Melbourne on the weekend along with Sandown Cup winner Qewy, Folkswood and Kidmenever.

Godolphin travelling foreman Chris Connett told RSN927 that Francis Of Assisi "gave himself a little superficial knock" while travelling but had quickly recovered.

"He gave himself a little superficial knock on the plane on the way down but he went out this morning and had a little trot around and he's all systems go," Connett said.

"He'll canter around tomorrow and we are very happy with him."

Connett said Appleby planned to run Francis Of Assisi first-up in the Caulfield Cup on October 21 and suggested Australian punters ignore his only 2017 run in which he finished more than 10 lengths from the winner in Group III company at Haydock on August 12.

"That run at Haydock wasn't obviously the greatest run but he has come on leaps and bounds since that run and he seems to thrive down here in Australia," Connett said.

Sportsbet has Francis Of Assisi as a $23 chance in Caulfield while Cornett said Appleby planned for Qewy to have a crack at back-to-back Geelong Cups first-up later this month.

Qewy has had two starts in 2017 for a fourth during the Royal Ascot carnival and a well-beaten effort at Group I level in the Goodwood Cup in August.

The Herbert Power Stakes is the likely first-up target for Kidmenever, whose last win came in the 2016 Swiss Derby while Folkswood, a son of Australian stallion Exceed And Excel will probably make his Australian debut in the Caulfield Stakes on Saturday week.

"He's a very interesting horse," Connett said of Folkswood.

"He ran a lifetime best out in Dubai when he just got beat in a Group I by Decorated Knight, who has come out and won two Group Is in Europe this year so the form really stacks up.

"We're on target to run in the Caulfield Stakes and Charlie and make a decision from there."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 22
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Century Club – Who Has Hit 100?
With so much attention on yearling sales at present, Magic Millions last week and Karaka starting on Sunday, the sire lists have been allowed to quietly tick along unwatched and three stallions have joined the century club and now share the top spot.
51st National Yearling Sale for International Bloodstock Agent John Foote
For over 51 years, respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand, and he has returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week. 
G3 Next for Cambridge Stud's Blueblood Zoustar Mare
Cambridge Stud are under no illusions about the task ahead of Silver Wedding at Ellerslie on Saturday, with connections hoping she has one more peak performance to come.
2026 Inglis Easter Revealed - Galaxy of Stars
A world-class catalogue of 472 lots has been confirmed for what is shaping as a spectacular Easter Yearling Sale, for which the catalogue is now available online.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
The Ciaron Maher stable is on a high with their juveniles after a quinella in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last Saturday and another of their spring stakes-winners Calamari Ring was a winner at the Warwick Farm trials on Thursday morning.
Forsman Chasing More Karaka Millions Day Success
Andrew Forsman has fond memories from the annual Karaka Millions meeting, and he is hoping to record some more when he heads to Ellerslie on Saturday for the blockbuster twilight event.
Inglis Challenge Moves to Wagga Gold Cup Carnival
The 2026 edition of the $200,000 Inglis Challenge for 2YOs will be run on Wagga Gold Cup Day at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) on Friday May 1.
Inglis Millennium Order of Entry
Inglis have released an order of entry for the $2million Inglis Millennium to be run on February 7 at Randwick and two of the horses in the Top 20 won barrier trials at Warwick Farm on Thursday morning.
Mother and Son Jockeys Reunite
Kylie Williams is hoping she will have plenty to celebrate when she is sunning herself in Rarotonga on Sunday.