Overdose: Hungarian hero is nearing a comeback in Berlin before Britain
PICTURE: racingfotos.comOverdose team eyeing Haydock option
Hungary: Sprint star Overdose may run in a Listed race at Haydock next month as a final prep for Royal Ascot, where the ‘Budapest Bullet' holds entries in both the King's Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Owner Zoltan Mikoczy has nominated the race at Haydock on May 29 as a likely target for the unbeaten five-year-old, off the track since last April recovering from a foot injury, provided he successfully negotiates a planned comeback run at Hoppegarten in Berlin.
"For his return we are looking at a 1,000 metres race at Hoppegarten on May 9," said the owner.
"If he comes through that satisfactorily, we would like to give him one more race before Royal Ascot.
"There are suitable races on June 6 at Chantilly on French Derby Day and also at Hoppegarten, but the problem is that they may be too close to Ascot. So Haydock, which is a week earlier, may be the better option. If we do come to Haydock, then he willstay over in England until Royal Ascot."
Mikoczy stressed that, given his injury problems, he will not risk Overdose on unsuitable going.
"We could have made his comeback run at Kincsem Park in Hungary, but the likelihood is the ground there will be too hard for him," he added.
"This time we have to listen to our heads, not our hearts. We want to him to run in a race which will not be too competitive and where there will be some cut in the ground. We are looking after the horse's future'.
Mikoczy explained that for administrative reasons, the Hungarian-based Jozef Roszival is now listed as Overdose's trainer, even though Sandor Ribarszki, who moved to Hoppegarten to train earlier this year, will still be handling the horse.
"Overdose is registered in Hungary and Jozef is the trainer there for my team of horses," he said.
"Sandor is not licensed in Hungary and that's why Jozef is named as the trainer". Mikoczy also confirmed that Christophe Soumillon, on board for Overdose's last racecourse start at Kincsem Park in Budapest 12 months ago, will ride the horse in his engagements this summer.
Get Steve Dennis's views on Overdose's comeback in his latest blog
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