OTHER SPORT

QUINN HAPPY TO BE BACK

HAPPY: Quinn resumes his career

Thursday May 24,2007

By Rolf Johnson

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(0)

RICHARD QUINN returns to race-riding at Goodwood today after announcing his retirement 11 months ago after suffering from back pain.

“I won’t be at peak match fitness,” said Quinn. “But you can operate much better when you aren’t in constant pain.”

Quinn, who has three mounts, enjoyed Classic success in the Oaks on Love Divine and with Millinary in the St Leger.

This Goodwood fixture once featured the Epsom Classic trials, the Predominate for colts and the Lupe for fillies.

Both fell from favour. The Predominate is now the Peters Opal Stakes in which Eastern Anthem can book his ticket for Royal Ascot. The Lupe is the Raymarine Stakes. Victory for Sudoor would underline the Oaks chances of Dalvina who comfortably beat her in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket.

The Jockeys’ Association chief John Blake has been shown the door after four turbulent years.

He obviously handled Epsom really well last year, so hopefully he will again.

Under his leadership there has been endless scandal.

The the mobile phones controversy was followed by the reduction of the number of meetings a jockey can ride.

Also, jockeys have been unhappy about the carping by the media concerning riding performances.

Marcus Tregoning, who runs Aqaleem in the Derby, confirmed that Sir Percy, last year’s Derby hero, will run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom on Friday week.

“He obviously handled Epsom really well last year, so hopefully he will again, and he goes there with a very good chance,” said Tregoning.

“His work has been extremely good and I’ve been very pleased with him.

“I think he’ll be fit enough, he looks well and is healthy and, physically, I think he has improved quite a bit.

“He hasn’t grown but you can see he’s a stronger horse muscle-wise. I’m looking forward to the race.”