Two runs so far for Newmarket trainer have promised plenty for the future.
All Eyes on The Wizard Of Eye: The Five-Year-Old’s Next Move in Racing
The racing world is abuzz with speculation as The Wizard Of Eye, the five-year-old gelding trained by Charlie Fellowes, approaches his much-anticipated return to the track. This season has seen The Wizard Of Eye blossom under Fellowes' guidance, following a stellar victory in the Victoria Cup at Ascot with an impressive performance in Group One competition at the Royal meeting. However, a minor setback forced him to miss the International Stakes, where he had been installed as the ante-post favorite, leaving fans eager to see where he will appear next.
Fellowes, known for his calculated approach, is carefully weighing the options for The Wizard Of Eye's next outing. Originally, a run in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury was on the table, but after assessing the horse's recovery, Fellowes decided to skip that race. The focus has now shifted to potential opportunities later this month, though the exact path remains undecided.
One possibility is the Sky Bet City of York Stakes, set to take place on August 24th. Despite this, Fellowes has expressed reservations about York’s track, hinting that it may not be the ideal fit for The Wizard Of Eye. "I’m not in love with sending him to York," Fellowes remarked, "even though we are entered there, I don’t think it is his track."
Alternatively, the William Hill Celebration Mile at Goodwood, also on August 24th, is under serious consideration. The mile distance would be a step up for The Wizard Of Eye, but Fellowes is confident in the horse's ability to handle it, especially given his strong past performances at Goodwood. "If he relaxes like he has done so far, going over a mile is a possibility," Fellowes noted, highlighting the gelding’s potential to excel at the longer distance.
Another option being discussed is a valuable seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood, which could prove lucrative for the team. Additionally, the Racing League event at Newcastle on August 22nd offers yet another possibility, with its seven-furlong race potentially suiting The Wizard Of Eye’s strengths. Fellowes is keeping all options open as he monitors The Wizard Of Eye’s progress in training.
"He worked on Saturday and worked great, but he had a good blow afterward having had some time off," Fellowes explained. "There's lots of options for him, but he just had a longer blow than I thought he was going to after his work, and he might be at least a week or so away from running again." As the anticipation builds, racing enthusiasts are left wondering which path The Wizard Of Eye will take, knowing that whatever choice is made, the horse is poised for another powerful performance.
