Racing: Loder team leaves for Arlington assignment

PETER DAVIES, David Loder's horse, leaves this morning for Sunday's Arlington Million in Chicago and may go with a surgical mask tucked into his luggage, writes Richard Edmondson.

An outbreak of equine viral arteritis in Illinois has depleted the field and Peter Davies, and his Newmarket stablemate Lupescu, who contests the fillies' race, the Beverley D, will have to remain in the United States for 30 days after the weekend. Both could continue their careers in America following the quarantine period.

Peter Davies ran as if already ailing when 18th of 19 at Goodwood last time out, a display which still puzzles Loder. 'I have no idea what went wrong because he's shown no adverse signs since and he's in great shape now,' the Newmarket trainer said.

The main challengers to the one-time Derby favourite appear to be Dear Doctor, the French winner of this race 12 months ago, and the home pairing of Lure and Star Of Cozzene, who have shared the honours in four meetings this year.

'But you are talking about only three horses among a field of no more than nine, and there is money down to fifth place,' Loder said. 'It is going to be a tough race but there is plenty of prize money to aim for.

Lupescu will follow the 'when in Rome' maxim as Loder will run the filly, who has been bursting blood vessels in her races, on the coagulant Lasix.

Both his horses will be ridden by the jockey best placed to provide the weighing-room loans at the moment, Lanfranco Dettori, whose victory on Lochsong in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Thursday, followed by successes in two restricted races at Deauville over the weekend, earned him a pot of about pounds 30,000.

Dettori's American voyage means that Roger Charlton will be looking for a substitute jockey when Inchinor goes for his first Group Two victory in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday.

The Marlborough trainer, who has seen the colt win three Group Three events this year, expects to book either Pat Eddery or Richard Quinn for his horse. 'He is very well and he definitely runs,' Charlton said. 'He has been very consistent this season and provided he continues to produce his form he ought to have a very good chance.'

(Photograph omitted)