Harry Eustace trainee Docklands (Massaat) exited his fourth-place run in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day in good order and is still on target for Japan's G1 Mile Championship on November 23, according to his trainer.
A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, the OTI Racing colourbearer will be ridden by Australian Mark Zahra in the one-mile race at Kyoto, which offers over £890,000 in prize-money for first place. After his Royal Ascot tally, the five-year-old ran fifth in the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, and was fourth in Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois in August.
“He seems his usual self so all good there,” Eustace said. “I thought he ran super. Tom [Marquand, jockey] actually felt although visually it looked a slightly troubled passage, it was more the tacky ground that actually blunted his finish than the trip he got.
“I thought with either a perfectly clear trip or better ground he might have been third and sort of stay on to the line, but we were delighted with him.”
Added Eustace, “I thought he looked as good as ever and as long as he's in good form, he'll still go. He flies on November 7 and then he runs on November 23.
“I'm pretty sure Mark Zahra's going to come and ride him. We are delighted with that, he messaged after watching the race and he's looking forward to it too.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
