St Moritz: hosts its first meeting of the season on the frozen lake
PICTURE: swiss-image.chBritish duo in action on the ice at St Moritz
Preview: Switzerland, Sunday
St Moritz
WITH the cold weather that has blighted Britain in recent weeks, George Baker's Ancient Greece and the Elaine Burke-trained Tepmokea will no doubt feel right at home on the ice at St Moritz, as both take part in the first meeting of the season on the frozen lake.
Karl Burke, who assists his wife and trainer Elaine, was on his way to Switzerland on Saturday to oversee preparations for Shane Kelly's mount, and he said: "It's our first runner at St Moritz and he's travelled over well. On paper he has the perfect profile for it.
"He's a front-runner and stays well, so if he can get out he should have every chance. If he runs well he'll stay out there for the big race in two weeks time which is over a furlong further as this is only nine."
On whether Tepmokea will handle conditions, he added: "They race in special shoes and he had a spin on the track with them on today and seemed to handle it well, but to be fair it is the kickback that is the problem, it's not too clever to get caught in so if he can break I think he'll run well."
Tepmokea runs in the day's feature race, the GP Guardaval Immobilien (3.15pm GMT), with the Guebelin Grosser Preis von St Moritz in two weeks time his main aim. Last year's winner of that race African Art, formerly with Brian Meehan, is among 11 rivals.
Baker's Ancient Greece, who is partnered by Freddie Mitchell in the GP American Airlines race, part of the Fegentri World Championship series for Gentlemen Riders, faces six rivals, including the former Nicky Henderson-trained hurdler Oasis Knight.
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