CLIVE Cox is hoping racing can return when it ‘is safe and proper to do so’ as he plots campaigns for the likes of Positive and Golden Horde.
The Lambourn handler has the Guineas and Royal Ascot on his mind as business continues at Beechdown Stables.
There’s been no racing in Britain for over two weeks and Flat trainers are awaiting the go ahead for the turf season to get rolling.
Cox said: “It’s all a little bit surreal to be honest but we’ve got to exercise the horses and the routine of work they would have probably been in anyway is not that different from where we are.
“We’ve got a self-contained operation to function in and the staff are all able to take the necessary advice in regards to distancing and everything else.
“Obviously there are far more serious things at stake at the moment and that’s what we’re all witnessing and we’re hopeful things will allow us to get back racing as and when it becomes safe and proper to do so. We’ve got some very nice horses and we’ve been looking forward to this season.”
Top of that list could be Golden Horde, last year’s Richmond Stakes winner and subsequent narrow Middle Park second.
Cox has mapped out a route to Royal Ascot – whenever that may fall – for his horse last seen when beaten a neck by Earthlight.
He said: “I think we’ll stick to being a sprinter with him this season, that’s how we feel at the moment. Adam Kirby has always said he has such a high cruising speed and I think six furlongs is where we want to be.
“I’m not saying that it’ll always be like that as he does give the impression that he might stay a little bit further.
“For a three-year-old he looks amazingly strong and he’s done especially well over the winter.
“So we’ll be starting off sprinting and hopefully be productive in that league. Races like the Commonwealth Cup will be on his agenda and that’s hopefully what we’ll be kicking at.”
There are also Group 1 aspirations for Positive, last year’s Solario Stakes winner who is 25-1 for the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.
Cox continued: “We’re training Positive for the Guineas, that’s been on our mind with him.
“It would be amazing if that target was on the agenda and we’d be perfectly happy with the progress he’s made at home with that in mind.”
Tis Marvellous has suffered a small setback and is on the easy list for now, but Streamline is another Cox has high hopes for.
He said: “Streamline was a very exciting juvenile last season.
“He’s already won at Group 3 level and has done well since. He’s matured over the winter into a much stronger individual so he’s an exciting prospect moving forwards.”
Streamline, Golden Horde and Positive were all Group-race winners at two last season, and Cox is renowned for his training of juveniles.
He’s hoping he has another strong batch for the campaign ahead, whenever it does get the green light.
He said: “We’ve had a very wet early part of the year and coming out of the winter and we’ve actually enjoyed some beautiful ground over the last two weeks on the grass.
“It’s been enough to know that we’ve got some nice horses to look forward to and it’s the time of year which is crucial to laying those foundations.
“We would have those in place now and moving forwards and we’re just looking forward to having racing back on when it’s right and proper to do so.”
