The GI Breeders' Cup Turf on Nov. 4 remains under consideration for Amo Racing's G1 QIPCO Champion S. winner King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
“He appears to have come out of the race physically in good shape, but he would have had a hard race yesterday and we can't ignore that. We just have to see how he is over the next week,” said the colt's trainer Roger Varian.
“I know Kia is very keen on the Breeders' Cup anyway, in general, and if he could get a good horse there, then of course he'd want to be there.
“But in fairness to Kia, he's been very good all year and he's always said to me only run the horse when you're 100 per cent happy, and if you're not, we don't go.”
He added, “I'm sure that will be the same regarding California in a couple of weeks' time. We need to give it a few days to see what messages the horse is giving us, so I'm not going to take it off the table and we'll just see how he is.”
King Of Steel, who was runner-up to Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Derby, has raced just seven times in his career, and also triumphed at Royal Ascot in June in the G2 King Edward VII S.
Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a late defector from the Champion S. as the ground deteriorated on Saturday, has been confirmed as on course for the Breeders' Cup Turf, which is likely to be the final race of his career.
The winner this season of the Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York, the John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old was ruled out of action after the stable won the first race of the day at Ascot with Trawlerman (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}).
“John and I had another look at it and spoke to Sheikha Hissa and said, 'look, it's your decision, but the ground isn't going to be in his favour', and John just felt it wasn't fair on the horse ending his career in ground we know he doesn't like – he couldn't hobble on it in the Arc last year,” said Angus Gold, racing manager for Mostahdaf's owner Shadwell.
“With the option of the Breeders' Cup still to come, there didn't seem any point in bowing out on a low note when we can go to California with a chance of running him on fast ground in a couple of weeks' time if he's still well.”
He added: “His best form here recently has been over a mile and a quarter, but over an American mile and a half, going down that hill for the first four furlongs or whatever it is, I think he'll stay it. He's a five-year-old now who has done brilliantly this year and I think if he does go to America that will be his last run.”
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