Racing: Tamarisk touches down on way to Cup

THE TOP sprinter Tamarisk came out of 36 hours of quarantine in America yesterday after safely negotiating the flight which was the first step on his journey from Roger Charlton's Beckhampton stable to the Breeders' Cup meeting at Churchill Downs, Kentucky, on 7 November.

Tamarisk, who successfully carried the colours of Highclere Racing in the Group One Stanley Leisure Sprint Cup at Haydock three weeks ago, was subsequently sold to stand as a stallion for pounds 2m.

He has now joined the yard of D Wayne Lukas to be prepared for either the Breeders' Cup Sprint or Mile.

Tim Jones, racing manager for Highclere, said: "As is usually the case with Tamarisk, he has taken the trip in his stride. We are not expecting a definite decision as to which race he tackles at the Breeders' Cup meeting for some time.

"It will depend on what Wayne Lukas and Roger Charlton feel is the best thing for the horse after he has started working again."

John Reid has been booked to ride Fear and Greed for Tommy Stack in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Sunday, provided the filly's regular jockey, Jamie Spencer, is unavailable. Spencer appeals today to the Turf Club against a whip suspension which puts him out of Sunday's racing.