Verhoyen© Photo Healy Racing
Michael Grassick admits plans are on hold for stable stalwart Verhoyen due to the current situation with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Piccolo gelding has proven a terrific servant for connections over the last few years with three wins and 12 placed efforts to his name.
His finest hour came when landing the €125,000 Scurry Handicap at the Curragh on Oaks Day last year and Grassick is hoping there is another big prize in the five-year-old.
“The plan was to go to the €100,000 seven-furlong handicap in May (8th at Cork) with him but that could well be gone now and it's hard to make plans,” said the Curragh handler.
“He's rated 93 so the plan is to go for a handicap with him and we think there is another premier handicap in him.
“Then we could maybe step him back into stakes company. That's what we are hoping.”
Grassick, like many, has eased back on his string during the current lockdown but is looking forward to getting back racing when action commences.
“Everything is, kind of, still normal and it's just a case of making the staff aware of keeping their distance a little bit more.
“I'm lucky enough that I don't have a huge string, there are only three of us riding out, and it's more challenging for the larger yards.
“The gallops are still open on the Curragh and I'm lucky I have a gallop here at home.
“We've just backed off them for two weeks and then we'll review it. Hopefully we'll have a bit of a clearer picture in a few weeks and take it from there.
“We have 15 riding out at the moment and a couple of nice horses to have a bit of fun with, please God.
“We have a nice No Nay Never filly, a half-sister to Texas Rock who isn't named yet.
“We like her, she's exciting, but she wouldn't have been out to the middle of the season anyway so there is no rush with her.”
