an update on the champ.. from the racingpost
ASIATIC BOY, last seen when fifth to Authorized in the Juddmonte International at York, has left Britain for Dubai and will not run in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
The four-year-old's trainer Mike de Kock reported that the horse had travelled over well and was being freshened for another campaign at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, where he took a starring role earlier this year, winning four races culminating in a nine-and-a-half-length romp in the UAE Derby.
De Kock said Asiatic Boy will be aimed at the Maktoum Challenge series in 2008 before a tilt at the Dubai World Cup itself.
“He arrived in Dubai about a week ago,” said the trainer. “He's in good form and is being freshened up before building up for the Carnival with a prep run beforehand.”
After his spectacular progress in Dubai, Asiatic Boy fared less well this summer on turf in Britain, finishing fourth behind Ramonti in the Sussex Stakes before taking on Authorized at York.
“There is no doubt that he is an awesome horse on the dirt,” De Kock added. “Looking backat his runs in England, the form has worked out well. Ten furlongs at York would have been stretching him a bit and the ground didn't really suit him either.
“I will talk with the owners, but after the World Cup I think he will go to America. I would think about running him on the turf there too if the ground came up firm.”
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Well, it may have come a year too late...
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