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| Staff Writer |
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While preparing a worldwide campaign for his 2023 Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1) runner-up, trainer Aidan O'Brien has chosen to avoid putting Luxembourg through a rough return.
The 5YO will now compete in the Neom Turf Cup (Gr.2T) on the same card as the $20 million Saudi Cup (Gr.1) she had initially entered.
O'Brien said, "We just felt it was going to be too tough a race to pitch him into for the first time on dirt. The competition is strong, and he's never run on the surface, so we felt it was too much to ask. The Neom Turf Cup will suit him better."
Luxembourg won the Futurity Trophy (Gr.1) to round off his juvenile career, and he also earned two more group 1 victories at the Irish Champion Stakes (Gr.1) and Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr.1). In December, in Sha Tin, he made his first start outside of Europe and was defeated by Romantic Warrior by a short head.
After finishing second in the Hong Kong Cup, Luxembourg can run at the Dubai Carnival if they win in Riyadh.
"He could travel a lot over the coming year," said O'Brien. "He's got a very high level of form and some solid foundations to build. Hong Kong was the first time he'd been on a long trip abroad, and he ran a great race and took the travel very well."
On Saudi Cup night, O'Brien will also race the fourth Tower of London in the St Leger (Gr.1), a group 3 handicap.
Another Irish competitor in the 1351 Turf Sprint (Gr.2T) is Matilda Picotte, whom Kieran Cotter trains. The 4YO, trained by Oisin Murphy, who will carry on the collaboration in Saudi Arabia, was last seen winning Group 2 at Newmarket in October.
"She's brought us to a place we could never have dreamed of going; it's mind-boggling," Cotter said ahead of the filly's seasonal debut. "We've been offered some serious money for her, so full credit to the owners, who are sticking with her and rolling the dice.
"The prize money in Saudi Arabia is obviously a big draw, and hopefully we can get some of it. I think she has a huge chance."