I actually think the trouble was a little more serious than BTW and Cannon seem to.
However, the way the race was run must be taken into context when evaluating the trip. Let's assume that he gets through perfectly on the far turn, and goes on to win consideribly easier....
If that would have happened, the horse would have been the beneficiary of the absolute DREAM trip.
That very fast early pace played to his advantage more so than any other horse in that race, he would have saved every inch of ground on a day when some think the rail was the best place to be, and would have roared away from the field though still very moderate late fractions for that kind of horse.
It was obvious before the race, that this horse would get a setup today, and this was a comically moderate field for a Grade 1 race. The only horse with any talent in the field, Chatain, was stretching out and going two-turns for the first time in his career. Nevermind, that he's bred to run about five furlongs, and was life and death to hold off confirmed sprinter Sir Greeley last time out....while racing at a mile.
This race was tailor-made for Invasor. His next one will not be. Horses with his style often run below expectations at Nad al Sheba's speed friendly track. The track suits main rival Discreet Cat much better, and also Premium Tap. Unless someone odd-ball speed horse is entered to force a strong pace, this horse will seriously be up against it in the World Cup.
I guess I'm already making excuses why he won't run well in the Dubai World Cup. All the people who think I have some kind of bias against this horse (I bet him in the Pimlico Special off the Dubai race for crying out loud!) can feel free to remind me how up against it I thought he was, if he does win the World Cup.
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