Champion jockey and rider of Band Practice Oisin Murphy© Photo Healy Racing
Archie Watson has high hopes that Band Practice will run a “huge” race in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Winner of her last three races, Band Practice booked her ticket for the meeting — which will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing — with a comfortable success in a Listed race at Chantilly last month.
She was ridden by Oisin Murphy on that occasion — and with the low weight ruling owners Clipper Logistics’ retained rider Danny Tudhope out of contention, the champion jockey is set to take the mount again.
Watson told Sky Sports Racing: “She’s a very quick filly — her work with our senior lead horse, Soldier’s Call’s lead horse, is very good.
“She takes everything in her stride and seemingly acts on all surfaces, because she won on very soft ground in France but obviously on quick ground elsewhere, so I hope she’ll skip off the ground out there.
“It’s a five furlong-race round a bend, so we’ll need a good draw, but I think she can run a huge race.”
The assistance of Murphy provides further encouragement.
Watson added: “I hope Oisin Murphy will ride her — but even he will have to be on a little bit of a diet. I think he’s on holiday at the moment, so I hope he doesn’t get too fat!
“Unfortunately 8st 8lb is too light for Danny Tudhope — but Oisin has won on her twice, so knows her well.
