The 2016 season has not panned out exactly as one would have hoped for Europe's two best juvenile colts of 2015. Air Force Blue (War Front) has yet to win a race (though that could change in the G1 Darley July Cup) and Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) has been sidelined with a pelvic injury. Good news is though that the John Gosden trained Shalaa is back in training and connections are hopeful of having him back on track in the Autumn. “It's great news about Shalaa as he went back to John [Gosden] very recently and is on the mend,” said Harry Herbert, racing manager to Al Shaqab Racing. “He's been at the National Stud of late and is walking and trotting. He's been a model patient and the plan would be to get him back for the [G1] British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.” Shalaa was last seen winning the G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. at Newmarket last September, his fifth victory in a row and his second Group 1 following his success in the G1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville in August.
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