Brown Panther In Frame For Cup Prep Start
- Tuesday, 17 September 2013 01:30
Trainer Tom Dascombe says there is "a possibility" Brown Panther could have a run before he enters quarantine for the Melbourne Cup in November.
Last month's Goodwood Cup winner had been due to contest the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday, but he was not declared for the race after he was found to have been off colour.
Brown Panther, jointly-owned and bred by former England international footballer Michael Owen, had been required to go into quarantine for the Melbourne Cup by September 26.
But Australian regulations have now been relaxed by a week, which could see the five-year-old entire have another outing this month.
"He's much, much better. He's back eating his food again now so we are back on course (for the Melbourne Cup)," the Cheshire handler said.
"There is talk that the quarantine might be put back a week, so there is a possibility we can get a run into him beforehand.
"It's all very positive."
Leigh Jordon, international recruitment officer for Racing Victoria, confirmed the quarantine deadline had been put back until the start of October.
He said: "There is a shipment (of horses) due to arrive October 19, which is Caulfield Cup day, so the horses will now need to enter quarantine by October 3.
"I have spoken to Tom and he was thinking about giving Brown Panther another run, so this gives him more time.
"It will also give connections of some of the Irish St Leger horses an opportunity to have a rethink about whether they come here or not."
