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| Staff Writer |
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City Of Troy is preparing for a crucial workout at Southwell as connections fine-tune their plans for a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Classic. The Nottinghamshire track is rolling out the red carpet for the Derby hero, confirming free entry for racing enthusiasts keen to catch a glimpse of the brilliant colt.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien has long earmarked Southwell as the ideal venue to give his charge a taste of synthetic racing before his anticipated swansong at Del Mar. The son of Justify, fresh from his demolition job in the Juddmonte International, is pencilled in for a September 20 spin that could mark his final UK appearance.
Mark Clayton, executive director at Southwell, is relishing the prospect: "We have decided that on September 20, everybody will be welcome to come and watch City Of Troy. All of the public are welcome for free, they will just need to pre-register on our website."
O'Brien's team is pulling out all the stops to simulate US conditions, with American-style starting stalls and a posse of stablemates joining City Of Troy for his crucial prep. The Ballydoyle maestro is no stranger to Southwell, having previously utilised the track for Breeders' Cup warm-ups with the likes of Galileo and Giant's Causeway.
While Southwell's surface has evolved from Fibresand to Tapeta, its one-mile-two-furlong oval configuration remains a useful facsimile of American tracks. Clayton adds: "We know it's not the exact surface, but the layout of the course as a one-mile-two-furlong flat oval is wonderful if trying to replicate an American track."
There's a possibility of a double dose of Breeders' Cup contenders, with connections of Big Evs considering a return to the scene of his pre-Del Mar workout last year. The Mick Appleby-trained speedster used Southwell as a springboard to Juvenile Turf Sprint glory in 2023.
Clayton is hopeful of securing another star turn: "We're also hoping to entice Big Evs back to do a gallop before the Breeders' Cup like he did last year. Mick has mooted it to me but it is still to be confirmed."
The Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic boasts a stellar list of previous winners, including Tiznow (2000, 2001), Ghostzapper (2004), and American Pharoah (2015). These champions went on to further glory, with American Pharoah completing the coveted Grand Slam of US racing.
As Southwell gears up for its moment in the spotlight, racing fans are eagerly anticipating the chance to witness a potential equine superstar in action. With City Of Troy's connections eyeing Classic glory, this workout could prove a pivotal stepping stone on the road to Breeders' Cup immortality.