Zenyatta is going full bore towards the Breeders’ Cup Classic, however, her stablemate Scenic Blast remains in limbo with just five weeks remaining before the end-of-year championships at Churchill Downs.

Scenic Blast (Scenic) is still not certain of qualifying for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.  His last chance of making the field appears to be the G3 Morvich Handicap (1300m) at Hollywood Park on Sunday week, October 11.  The winner receives an automatic entry into the BC Sprint.

Trainer John Shirreffs has the Australian Horse of the Year ticking over nicely in readiness for his next outing.  The six year-old gelding sizzled over 1000m in 59.80s at Hollywood Park on Monday morning.

Shirreffs stretched Scenic Blast out to 1600m last time in the G2 Del Mar Mile.  The Aussie champion didn’t appreciate the slow tempo that day and wound up a well-beaten fifth.  “He came out of Del Mar extra good and is doing really well,” Shirreffs said.  “If he doesn’t make it to Churchill Downs, we can always bring him back next year.  You would expect him to acclimate and improve in 2011.”

Scenic Blast is winless in six starts since his breathtaking victory in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June 2009.  He has earned over $1.89 million for managing part-owner Elio Galante and the syndicate that bought him for $85,000 from the Durham Lodge draft at the 2006 Perth Magic Millions yearling sale.

Scenic Blast’s dam Daughter’s Charm was pensioned by Durham Lodge owner David Smith after missing to Brocco in 2006.  Smith had purchased the mare for $12,000 at the 2003 Inglis Melbourne June Sale.  She was sold carrying a PPT to Golden Snake and that foal turned out to be G1 WATC Railway Stakes winner Gilded Venom.

Durham Lodge has retained two links with Daughter’s Charm through her daughters Pure Instinct (Grand Lodge) and Classy Charmer (Regal Classic).  Both mares have yearlings by Universal Prince.