St Leger third Desert Hero was being aimed at a tilt at the Melbourne Cup in Australia but connections have decided against sending the horse for the race and will instead put him away for the rest of the season and he will return next term.
A bright juvenile last term winning two of his three starts with his final run at Redcar over 9f coming on heavy ground and he scooted up in a Novice Stakes under a penalty.
Back this term when upped to 1m2f in the competitive London Gold Cup on Handicap debut off a mark of 94 he went down by three furlongs but might have needed the run.
Unbeaten on his two runs since then he has taken his form to a new level, landing the King George V Stakes over 1m4f at Royal Ascot, staying extremely well from off the place to land the 19 runner event, winning by more than the margin suggested.
Upped in grade in the Group Three John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes, he again came from off the pace to win nicely from Chesspiece, improving again.
Continuous wins the Betfred St Leger! @DoncasterRaces #ハーツクライ pic.twitter.com/dVm7G1185g
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 16, 2023
In both his starts this term over 1m4f he looked to want further doing his best work at the line and his style of racing set him perfectly for a go at the St Leger.
However, he had to settle for third chasing home the impressive winner Continuous and second Arrest and thoughtds were he would step up in trip again for a chance at the Melbourne Cup.
However, connections have now decided to not go over to Australia and instead put him away for the rest of the season with a view to him returning next term.
(Credit PA news agency) John Warren, racing adviser to the King and Queen said: “After giving it plenty of thought we have decided that Desert Hero won’t head to the Melbourne Cup this year.
“It is obviously a world-class race and it was very tempting, but he is still a young horse and we will give him more time to mature.
“He will now have a good break and William will work out a plan for next year.”