CROWN WILL GET EVEN QUICKER, SAYS RAYMOND
CONNECTIONS are working backwards with Desert Crown as they plot a route to the Arc.
The Classic titan is being lined up for the big summer meetings, with first stop Ascot on July 23.
William Hill make Sir Michael Stoute’s charge 4-5 to succeed in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.
Like Longchamp’s end-of-season highlight, the race is over the Derby trip of 1m 4f, but Desert Crown could drop down two furlongs for the Juddmonte International in between.
And Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail, believes the hugely talented colt could be even better at the shorter distance in time. “It was a very good performance at Epsom, but I just feel the more racing he has, the faster he will get,” he said.
“I think he is a mile-and-a-half horse, but his best trip will end up being a mile and a quarter. He is a very good horse, that’s all we know.”
Lion Of War will be tasked with cementing the deep impression made on racing fans at a higher level.
The bargain purchase, sired by four-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion, may take in Newmarket’s Group 2 Superlative Stakes next month.
Thursday’s 10-length Newcastle winner cost just 7,000 guineas, after failing to catch the eye of most buyers.
“We’re looking at the Superlative, but there are lots of options and we’ve also got Goodwood, so we’ll let Charlie and Mark (Johnston) fathom out what’s the best place for him,” said Qatar Racing’s David Redvers.