just an update on this potential star .. he's skipping Royal Ascot and will be pointed to the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood over 8f in August and then maybe the Juddmonte International Stakes over 10f later that month.>It certainly seems odd because the Sussex Stakes is hardly the most prestigious mile event on the calender... I really hope he can show his talent on turf because he looked very special on dirt.. It remains to be seen.. anyway heres from the racingpost:
ASIATIC BOY, the South African superstar who won four races on the bridle in Dubai this year, remains firmly on course for a clash with George Washington and Finsceal Beo in the Sussex Stakes.
The Mike de Kock-trained colt, whose NadAl Sheba haul included a near ten-length triumph in the UAE Derby, on Wednesday featured among a 51-strong entry for the BGC-sponsored Group 1 at Goodwood on August 1.
Based in Newmarket for his Sussex preparation, Asiatic Boy has not raced since completing the UAE triple crown by landing Dubai's premier Classic, soon after which it was confirmed that Goodwood, not Royal Ascot, would be his first British port of call.
"He's very well," said De Kock on Wednesday. "He has really freshened up nicely since Dubai, which is really important, as it can take a lot out of them out there, especially when they go through the triple crown, as he did.
"I'm very happy with the horse, and I'll be seeing him when I come over to England next week.
"At this stage he's on target for the Sussex Stakes and he will probably have a racecourse gallop at Goodwood a couple of weeks before the race. After that the plan is to go for the Juddmonte International." Last year's champion juvenile Teofilo, Derbyrunner-up Eagle Mountain and Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Astronomer Royal are also entered in the Sussex, although notable by his absence is Cockney Rebel, whose trainer Geoff Huffer has nominated the International as the mid-summer target.
De Kock's Oracle West, who chased home Vengeance Of Rain in the Dubai Sheema Classic, is also poised for a trip to Britain. De Kock said: "He'll definitely be coming over but needed a break after racing in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore.
"I don't know if he'll be up to Group 1 standard in Britain, but we'll give him a couple of starts and find out."
De Kock added that Drayton remains on course for Royal Ascot, with the Golden Jubilee Stakes his intended target.
Hopes that the royal meeting could begraced by Lester Piggott improved immeasurably over the weekend when the legendary jockey, who suffered a health scare recently, returned home to Newmarket.
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