Sprint contests unlikely for Kinross next term

‘He’s got the enthusiasm for it, but he hasn’t got the legs for that six furlongs any more’.

Kinross looks set to stick to longer trips next season after coming up short in his bid for a second victory in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett’s stable stalwart has enjoyed another fine campaign, wrestling back his crown in the Park Stakes at Doncaster before finding only Ramatuelle too strong when aiming to do the same in the Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp.

The seven-year-old was a 7-2 favourite to successfully drop back down to six furlongs on Champions Day, but was beaten just under four lengths into seventh place and connections feel that while he may have lost some of his old dash, his enthusiasm remains undimmed.

“We were pleased with his run, six furlongs is just probably too sharp for him now and maybe next year we’ll stretch him out to a mile,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan.

“Like always, we’ll take each race as it comes, but he’s fine after the race and he can have a good holiday and you’ll probably see him start off somewhere in June next year.

“We’re at the stage of his career where every race is a bonus. He’s got the enthusiasm for it for sure, but he hasn’t got the legs for that six furlongs any more, that was the problem on Saturday.

“He wasn’t distressed afterwards and was happy, so all is good.”

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