Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has nominated the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November as the primary target this season for G1 Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}). The 4-year-old has enjoyed a break since besting American champion West Coast (Flatter) in that Meydan feature in March, and bin Suroor is looking at his options in the buildup to the Breeders' Cup.
“The horse had a hard race in Dubai, but he is doing well and the Breeders' Cup Classic is the long-term aim. We'll try to find one or two races for him beforehand. The [G1] Jacques le Marois is a possible and the [GI] Belmont Jockey Club Gold Cup, then hopefully on to the Classic, as that is the main objective.”
Bin Suroor said Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the G1 Dubai Turf on the same card as Thunder Snow's Dubai World Cup, will reappear at Royal Ascot.
“Benbatl is doing well since winning the Grade 1 in Dubai,” he said. “We will get him ready for Royal Ascot, and he will go for the Queen Anne, as a stiff mile will suit him.”
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