TRAINER Karl Burke has hinted that Quiet Reflection will not be running in York's opening meeting of the Flat season, the Dante Festival next week, writes Ian Appleyard.

 

Burke has also confirmed that Martin Harley is taking over as the sprint queen's jockey following a split with stable jockey Dougie Costello.

 

Quiet Reflection, owned by the Malton-based Ontoawinner syndicate, had been entered for next Wednesday's Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes.

 

However, after working the double Group One winner at Newcastle on Monday morning, Burke said: "She is not sparkling as I would like but it might not be a big problem and simply something to do with her getting older.

 

"Looking at the weather forecast, it looks as if it's going to be too dry for her at York but, even it rained, she might not go there.

 

"It's probable, now, that she will go to the Temple Stakes (at Haydock) as a prep race for Royal Ascot," he said.

 

Burke, who trains at Leyburn, says things have 'not worked out' with Costello who rode the filly to victory in both the Commonwealth Cup and 32Red Sprint Cup last season.

 

"Dougie won't be riding for me for the foreseeable future," he said. "I don't want to go into it too much - but it hasn't worked out how I would have liked and I have got to do what's best for all my owners.

 

"Martin Harley will be riding Quiet Reflection," he said. "He's got plenty of experience in big races and I am sure he will do a good job for us. I have a good team of young riders at the stable so it's not going to be a problem finding suitable jockeys for our horses."

 

The three day Dante Festival starts on Wednesday (May 17).

 

 

 

Two of last season's biggest winners at York racecourse tragically departed the scene this week.

 

Postponed, winner of the Group One Juddmonte International, was retired after suffering a stress fracture in training.

 

Heartbreak City, winner of the Ebor Handicap, had to be put down after breaking a leg in a racecourse gallop at the Curragh.

 

Jockey Adam McNamara, who rode Heartbreak City to glory on the Knavesmire, said: "He gave me the best day of my life and it's hard to put into words how I felt winning the Ebor. It's a very sad loss and he had the heart of a lion. He was so tough and genuine and will be sorely missed."

 

Trainer Tony Martin said: "It's very sad. He did everyone proud and was more than a horse. He was some character and so genuine."

 

Heartbreak City was owned by the 'Here For The Craic Partnership', a group of Irishmen whose wild celebrations raised smiles all around the winner's enclosure at York last August.

 

Postponed, meanwhile, had made just two unsuccessful starts in Dubai since flopping as favourite in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

 

Roger Varian's stable star won four Group 1 races including the Juddmonte International Stakes, when ridden by Andrea Atzeni at York in August.

 

Varian said: “Postponed has been a magnificent racehorse to have in the yard and it's been both a pleasure and privilege to oversee the second phase of his career.

 

"It's a shame for everyone that we won't see him on a racecourse again and it's especially sad for (owner) Sheikh Mohammed Obaid who showed such sportsmanship in keeping him in training.

 

"Postponed had all the attributes of the complete champion racehorse," added Varian. "The speed, the stamina, and a telling kick. He travelled like a machine."