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Adaptable Galileo could go down under

Sat 3rd Sep 2011, 17:46

Galileo's Choice could bid to give Dermot Weld and Dr Michael Smurfit a third win in the Melbourne Cup following Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle after he landed the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes under Pat Smullen.

The victorious five-year-old got to the front three furlongs out and he was ridden clear entering the straight on the way to defeating Look At Me by a length and a quarter.

Weld said "I'm delighted with him. He battled well to win his maiden hurdle at Galway where the third horse was left 28 lengths back in third.

"He then won the Havasnack at Killarney over two miles and one and now he's won his Group 3 over ten furlongs. I ran him there to see how well he'd stay and he found the extended two miles effortless.

"People thought I was mad when I entered him in the Melbourne Cup as his rating was too low for him to get in. He had to win today to have a chance of getting in.

"It's nice that he showed the class and pace to win today. He is very adaptable and I thought he'd win today as he worked very well the other morning.

"I'm open-minded about his future now. Hopefully he can go to the very top over hurdles and we'll just wait and see now what weight he gets for the Melbourne Cup.

"He's had a few little problems and that's why he hasn't run more. He had sinus surgery and he was out for a year then.

"He is possibly best from a mile and a half to a mile and six. Today was a bit sharp for him and I wouldn't be in a hurry to run him over ten furlongs again.

"He is also in the Irish Leger next weekend and I wouldn't completely rule that out."