- City of Troy is set to race in the Breeders Cup Classic on Saturday
- Trainer John Gosden has given his thoughts on whether City of Troy can win
It is the only question that is being asked on the racecourse, the one that dwarfs all other issues: do you think City Of Troy will do it?
Some trainers and jockeys respectfully play the diplomatic line when asked, simply saying they wish Aidan O’Brien and Team Coolmore all the best but John Gosden is never afraid to duck a debate. As one of the sport’s best speakers, his views are always compelling.
Gosden is one of only two European trainers to have saddled the winner of the $7million Breeders Cup Classic – his colt Raven’s Pass won on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita in 2008, Andre Fabre’s Arcangeus was successful at 133/1 in 1993 – but he is in no doubt O’Brien can join the club on Saturday.
‘A horse like that… if you get a clear run to the first bend and he was travelling well then I doubt they’d catch him,’ said Gosden. ‘I think he would outclass them.’
What a tantalising, thrilling prospect. City Of Troy was back on the track on Wednesday morning with a Ballydoyle raiding party that had been depleted by the absence of Ylang Ylang, who was ruled out of the Filly & Mare Turf with sickness.
City of Troy (pictured) will be going for Breeders Cup Classic glory on Saturday
Top trainer John Gosden believes City of Troy can win if he gets a clear run to the first bend
There is nothing wrong with City Of Troy, however, and he looked immaculate as he cantered a little quicker than he had done 24 hours earlier, O’Brien gently turning the screw so this colt is, in his words, “ready to rock” in The Classic.
If this was run on Turf, there is not a chance his 13 rivals would get within six lengths of City Of Troy but the unique demands of dirt are the imponderable of this riddle and it was here Gosden expanded articulately on just what challenge is being undertaken.
‘From where he’s drawn it’s a matter of how alertly he jumps,’ said Gosden. ‘I talked to Aidan about it at York, after City Of Troy had won the Juddmonte International. You get a good run up the straight before the first bend.
‘If you’re down on the inside you’ve got to break alertly because if they come across and you get the kickback and that’s the problem. The kickback is the thing. They lose their rhythm because they are not used to that amount of dirt hitting them in the face.
‘Ryan (Moore) will be very aware that he has to try to avoid that scenario, but it is easier said than done. But is he the best horse, on quality? Yes, he is.’
He looks it, too. His coat gleamed in the sun as he paraded before work and there was an effortless flow to the way he skipped around under usual work rider Rachel Richardson, while he went in and out of the stalls with impeccable behaviour.
Gosden is convinced jockey Ryan Moore (pictured) has the best horse in the race in City of Troy
‘We know he is a very good horse,’ said Moore, whose best chance of a winner outside City Of Troy will be provided by Lake Victoria in Friday’s Juvenile Fillies’ Turf race. ‘The draw we have (in three) could have been worse. He should be competitive.’
He should but, until the gates spring open, the questions and debate will continue and it was fascinating to hear Gosden’s take, just as it was to hear him discuss the merits of Emily Upjohn, his runner in the $5million Turf.
Her work was every bit as eye-catching as City Of Troy – the mare, who is without a win this season, has not looked better than she does at the moment – and it would be some story if her reunion with Frankie Dettori paid dividends.
‘Her form is solid,’ said Gosden. ‘They’re very good horses against her and you have an ex-Breeders’ Cup winner, good Japanese horse, top quality horses from Ireland, we know it’s good, but this is her best distance. It’s a fascinating Breeders’ Cup.’
