Cockney Rebel slated for Queen Elizabeth

Trainer Geoff Huffer is pleased with the progress made by COCKNEY REBEL (Val

Royal [Fr]), who suffered a pelvic stress fracture and pulled muscles when fifth

in the St James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. The English (Eng-G1) and

Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) hero is back to work, and he is slated to return in the

September 29 Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1).

"It was an absolute miracle he just got beat a length and a quarter at

Ascot, and in my opinion he should have won," Huffer said. "The vets are

convinced he did it coming out of the stalls in the Two Thousand Guineas -- and that's

why he was hanging left in the final furlong and again in Ireland. Now the

problem's solved, you'll see the real Cockney Rebel, and he's at least five

lengths better than what you've seen. If we have an Indian summer, the ground

will be ideal for the QEII and he'll be back in the winner's enclosure again."

Huffer also confirmed that Phil Cunningham's colt would remain in training to

race in 2008.

"After the QEII, I would say he won't race again this season, but he'll go on

as a four-year-old," Huffer added.