CLASSIC’S ON LION AGENDA
ROARING LION could be on the prowl in America next month.
The John Gosden-trained three-year-old won his fourth straight Group One at Ascot’s Champions Day meeting at the weekend — and is being considered for a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The lion-hearted colt landed the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes despite running over a trip (one mile) that was short of his best on ground (soft) that he doesn’t like.
The Classic is run over his optimum trip of a mile and a quarter, but the major drawback is that it is run on dirt.
Although Roaring Lion is by the US sire, Kitten’s Joy, he was a turf horse himself.
Keen
However, David Redvers, spokesman for Qatar Racing, Roaring Lion’s owner, said yesterday: “Sheikh Fahad is very keen to go to the Breeders’ Cup.
“He believes this horse is the best horse in the world over a mile and a quarter and can overcome all of the difficulties that would go with running a horse on dirt for the first time.
“He may well be right, but he has been on the go since February. I have yet to speak to anybody from Mr Gosden’s yard, or John himself, to find out how he has come out of the race. He had a tough one because he was running on ground he’s not made to run in.
“If he can do what he’s done all season and bounce back, he may well take his chance.”
Whether Roaring Lion runs again or not, he will be be sent to Tweenhills Stud next year.
He is available at a best price of 12-1 for the Classic with William Hill, while Sky Bet offer 7-1 (non-runner no bet).
Paddy Power prices for the Classic: 5-2 Accelerate, 9-2 Mckinzie, 11-2 Good Magic, Hofburg, 6 Catholic Boy, 7 West Coast, 9 Mendelssohn, 10 others.