Arizona Blaze handed French target after York disappointment

Adrian Murray has outlined plans for some of his stable stars, with Arizona Blaze set to be freshened up after Nunthorpe disappointment for a crack at the Prix de l’Abbaye, while Group One hero Power Blue is also being saved for a trans-Atlantic mission to the Breeders’ Cup later in the year.

Arizona Blaze was sent off the 9-2 favourite for York’s Group One sprint but struggled to make an impression in finishing 11th, some six lengths adrift of Australian-trained winner Asfoora.

With stablemate Bucanero Fuerte pencilled in to represent Murray and owners Amo Racing in the Curragh’s Flying Five Stakes, Arizona Blue will make the journey to France in early October.

That could pave the way for further travel and another visit to the Breeders’ Cup having gone close in the Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar last November.

Murray said: “We were a little bit disappointed with Arizona Blaze, he was slow out the stalls and got on the back foot and just never got into it, he wasn’t able to travel in his comfort zone.

“He’s come out of the race great though and we’re looking at going to Longchamp now for the sprint on Arc weekend. Bucanero Fuerte is going to go for the Flying Five, so we’ll freshen Arizona Blaze up and hopefully look at France.

“The ground could have been a little quick for him at York as well, so if there’s a bit of dig in the ground in France it could be to his advantage.

“He will probably go for the Breeders’ Cup as well towards the back end.”

Also with a trip to California on his agenda is Phoenix Stakes scorer Power Blue, who will now swerve stepping up in distance for the National Stakes to head Stateside in top form, where his intended target is still to be decided.

“We took him out of the National Stakes and he’s had a tough enough campaign, so we’re just going to freshen him up and look at the Breeders’ Cup for him as well,” continued Murray.

“We haven’t really decided which race yet, but he probably will be going up in trip.”

Murray has also welcomed last year’s Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me to his Rathowen base, with the headline-making 4.8million guineas buy switched from trainer Ralph Beckett by Amo supremo Kia Joorabchian.

Seen just the once this season when disappointing at Epsom in the Coronation Cup, there are no immediate plans, but her new handler is hoping the change of scenery inspires a revival.

“It’s great to have her and she’s on a little bit of a break to freshen her up,” said Murray.

“She has an entry in the Arc, but we would have to wait and see and she will tell us where we are at with her.

“At the moment she’s enjoying her break and we’ll just be hoping that the change of scenery will bring her back to something like her best.”