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| Staff Writer |
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Saeed bin Suroor is planning a direct route to the Guineas for his two leading Classic contenders, with both Tornado Alert and Elwateen being prepared for their respective targets without a preliminary run.
The Godolphin handler, who currently trains a select band of 40 horses, has his sights set on adding to his impressive tally of Group One victories worldwide as he approaches a significant milestone.
"She worked on Tuesday morning and she's doing nicely, she worked well," said Bin Suroor of Elwateen, who races in the Shadwell colours and made a striking impression on her only juvenile appearance before being sidelined with minor issues.
"If everything continues to go well, she could go straight to the Guineas."
The trainer revealed that Tornado Alert worked alongside his fillies' classic hopeful and also pleased with his morning exercise.
"Tornado Alert worked with her. He worked nicely, it was nice and easy," he confirmed.
The Newmarket handler intends to send both horses straight to their Classic engagements without the benefit of a preparatory race.
"We're stepping it up with them but so far they are doing well. He won't run in a trial, he would go straight to the Guineas," said Bin Suroor.
Tornado Alert has shown significant promise in his brief career, finishing third on debut before impressing with a victory at Newcastle, where he accounted for colts from the yards of John and Thady Gosden and Charlie Appleby.
While acknowledging his current operation is smaller than in previous years, Bin Suroor remains ambitious about adding further top-level triumphs to his remarkable career haul.
"We only have a small team now; I've got 40 in training this year. We're still looking for Group One horses," he said.
"It was nice to win in Dubai with Dubai Future but I'm on 196 Group Ones worldwide, who knows if I can make it to 200. We'll try to get there."
The experienced trainer's record already includes four victories in the 2000 Guineas and three in the 1000 Guineas, achievements he'll be hoping to build on with his latest Classic prospects.