Czech trainers will be stretched this weekend, with a more than usually difficult decision on where to go in person, and where to send a trusted assistant trainer. The problem of finding a good rider, or any rider at all, has been acute.

The meetings in the Czech Republic, at Brno on Saturday and at Velka Chuchle on Sunday, offer fairly modest programmes, especially on the flat. Velka Chuchle, unusually, has two hurdles races, including as the feature race of the day the seventh renewal of the Category I Elektrizace Železnic Praha, a. s. Gold Cup, in which last year's winner, Taro, will be very strongly challenged by Sokol and by Cariray. The meeting at Brno also has opportunities for jumps riders. 

The much anticipated major meeting at Wroclaw has very attractive jumps races on Saturday and on Sunday, with several Czech-trained runners and riders on both days. On Sunday there is a major flat race, which has attracted, among others, Kadyny, winner of the Czech Derby in 2012. Trainer Cestmir Oleha has two runners in each of the three big races at Wroclaw. Sunday is Slovak Oaks day at Bratislava, with plenty of Czech-trained runners. Several Czech trainers regard this as their home racecourse.

There is also a meeting this weekend at Merano, in Italy, where there will be Czech runners and riders. In addition, there will probably be some Czech-trained runners in Germany, and maybe in France.