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| Staff Writer |
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Prydwen is poised for an international campaign after clinching victory in the German St Leger at Dortmund last month.
The George Scott-trained gelding, who tasted success on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle on Good Friday and even tried his luck in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, has seen his rating skyrocket to 112 following his recent triumph. This significant boost has limited his options on home soil, prompting connections to consider a winter sojourn in the Middle East for the son of Camelot.
Scott, for whom Prydwen delivered a first runner and winner in Ireland when securing a valuable handicap at Killarney in August, said: "He's really good, obviously off his new inflated rating there is little else left for him here in England, so he's going to go to Dubai and maybe the Red Sea Handicap in Saudi Arabia.
"I think he probably comes up short in those strong Group races in England, so it's a matter of thinking outside of the box a little bit, although Dubai is hardly outside of the box."
Meanwhile, Scott is set to give his undefeated 2YO Bay City Roller the opportunity to prove his Derby credentials next season.
The New Bay colt has maintained a perfect record in his three career outings, beginning with a gutsy neck victory over John and Thady Gosden's Vecu on debut at Sandown in July. He followed up with a more commanding three-quarter-length success on the all-weather at Chelmsford in August before heading to Town Moor for the Gr.2 Champagne Stakes on St Leger Day.
Bay City Roller surged to the front inside the final furlong and, despite a challenge from Aidan O'Brien's Monumental, Callum Shepherd guided his mount to a half-length triumph, thrusting the Victorious Racing-owned youngster into contention for top-tier contests.
Scott commented: "He's really good, he's finished for the year. I felt like he's done enough for this season, he's a horse for next year. It's early days as to where we will start next season, but we definitely want to give him an opportunity to be a Derby horse. We want to try that first.
"Wherever he starts back, it could be in the Guineas or a Guineas trial, we will see. We will probably see what the spring brings, but very excited by him."
Scott also provided news on stable star Isle Of Jura, who encountered a setback after winning the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The 4YO had been enjoying a stellar campaign, which began with success in Bahrain's triple crown at the start of the year, netting substantial prize money. He then returned to British shores to land the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood in May.
The son of New Approach secured the biggest victory of his career at Ascot – his fifth consecutive triumph – a month later, but has been sidelined since.
Scott revealed: "He's good. He picked up an issue after Ascot that will sadly keep him out of action. Probably the earliest you could see him back is the Jockey Club at Newmarket in the Craven meeting, but it's not impossible that he will go straight to the Hardwicke. We will see."
Previous winners of the German St Leger include Windstoss (2017), who went on to claim the Preis von Europa, and Laccario (2019), who later triumphed in the Grosser Preis von Baden.