Racing: Connections ponder future for Falkirk

SYDNEY - Windsor Park Stud principal Nelson Schick believes Falkirk has a racing future despite an inglorious display at Randwick.

The four-year-old stallion, who is owned by the Cambridge stud, was barred from racing in New South Wales after he engaged Regal Roller in a speed duel for the lead in the All Aged Stakes and then ran uncontrollably wide on the turn. He was 30 lengths adrift of winner Shamekha at the finish.

The ban means he has to trial satisfactorily in front of stewards before he can race again.

Falkirk's jockey Corey Brown told stewards Falkirk had locked his jaw during the race.

"I wanted to have him up, just sitting off Regal Roller but he just took charge and pulled and hung out," Brown said. "He locked his jaw and there was nothing I could do."

Falkirk pulled up distressed and Sydney trainer John O'Shea said he would now spell the horse.

Schick said the run was uncharacteristic and he thought the horse still could do well on the racetrack, before going to stud.

"He is used to running with some cover," Schick said. "I thought it was a bad decision to take on a noted frontrunner in Regal Roller."

While Falkirk had been inclined to hang in his races, he normally had got around the turns all right before mounting his attack, Schick said.

"This time he was going flat out before the turn and ran out," he said.

Schick said he would discuss Falkirk's future with O'Shea and wanted the horse scanned to make sure there were no other problems.

Schick also thought Falkirk might be better off racing on left-handed tracks.

- NZPA