American mare in doubt for Queen Anne
Queen Anne Stakes favourite Tepin may not take her place at Royal Ascot amid concerns she cannot race with her usual nasal strip and Lasix.
The five-year-old American mare races on the anti-bleeding medication Lasix in the United States and wears a nasal strip, both of which are banned in Britain.
The Breeders’ Cup Mile winner worked at Churchill Downs without either and a decision on Royal Ascot is expected by Monday (AEST).
Her regular rider Julien Leparoux and Norman Casse, assistant to trainer Mark Casse, were pleased with her efforts although Leparoux thought she made a little more breathing noise.
“I talked to Norman and Julien and they were happy,” Mark Casse said.
“My concern is – a lot of people don’t know it – but she has had some breathing issues in the past.
“We don’t run all our horses in the nasal strip, but she’s one that it’s really important for her to wear it.
“It’s a concern. We just found out recently that she’s not going to be allowed to use the nasal strip (at Ascot), so we’re going to discuss it all.”