Panama Hat© Photo Healy Racing
Andrew Oliver is preparing the prolific Panama Hat for an ambitious tilt at the American St Leger.
The son of Medicean won five times during a tremendous campaign in 2014 and opened his account for this season with a Listed triumph in the Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon at the start of July.
Now rated 108, options on home soil are few and far between.
To that end, Oliver is looking forward to sending his charge across the Atlantic for the prestigious Arlington Million fixture in Chicago.
"It was an interesting race (at Roscommon). It wasn't our first plan to go there, but he got the job done," said the Co Tyrone handler.
"The way he did it, coming from last to first, showed he retains all his ability, so we were delighted with him on the day and he seems in good form since.
"He does have an entry at Leopardstown next week in the Ballyroan Stakes, but the plan is to go to Arlington for the American St Leger.
"He is owned by Team Valor, who are an American-based syndicate. The American Leger is a Grade Three race and it makes sense to take him there and see how he gets on.
"I took a horse over there a couple of years ago and unfortunately it wasn't a very fruitful venture, but Panama Hat is a pretty laid-back individual."
