DE-LUX PERFORMER
O’Brien eyes Saudi riches
AIDAN O’BRIEN says the best is still to come from multiple Group One winner Luxembourg who leads his challenge for more international riches in Saudi Arabia today.
Last seen beaten a short head in the Hong Kong Cup in December, the five-year-old will take his earnings past £3m if he nets the £1.5m Neom Turf Cup in which the four British challengers include last year’s Dante winner The Foxes.
“Luxembourg is a Group One winner at two, three and four,” said O’Brien.
“He’s a big powerful longstriding, scopey horse with a good mind and very sound.
“We think we haven’t seen the best of him yet.”
The master of Ballydoyle will also run St Leger fourth Tower Of London in the £2m Red Sea Turf Handicap, the race which precedes the card’s highlight, the £16m Saudi Cup on dirt. Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto leads the British challenge.
“Tower Of London has had a good long break all winter,” said O’Brien.
“We’ve aimed him at the Red Sea Turf as we think both the trip and nice ground will really suit him.
“We certainly think he’s a horse that’s going to progress a lot this season, so he could be a horse that goes onto Dubai after this.”
Tim Easterby makes a rare foray overseas with Art Power who tackles the £1.5m Turf Sprint which also features Godolphin’s Mysterious Night and Annaf, from the Mick Appleby stable.
“It’s a bit different as he’s not raced around a turn but we train around a turn at home every day,” said. Easterby.
“Drawn out wide might not be a bad thing because if you are drawn on the inside you are hassled a bit.”