While the July 24 G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II S. is the most likely next port of call for dual Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), the 4-year-old also has the option of the G2 York S. on the same day, said Ted Voute, racing manager to the colt's owner Prince Faisal. The plan would be to then push on to the G1 Juddmonte International on Aug. 18.
After winning the Saudi Cup going 1800 metres on the dirt in February, Mishriff backed up five weeks later to win the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over a mile and a half on the grass for John and Thady Gosden. He was third of four runners on his return to the European turf in the G1 Coral-Eclipse over a mile and a quarter on July 3.
“He might go to York or he might go to the King George,” said Voute. “He's got to give away a lot more weight at York as he gets a Group 1 penalty there as well as [giving away] the age allowance. It's in John's hands.”
Voute said Mishriff appeared to have needed the race in the Eclipse.
“Mishriff came back from the Eclipse and was kicking and bucking. John said was very fresh so he got him back on the gallops. After the Eclipse he blew quite a bit. He's a 4-year-old now and that might have put him spot on for a race next Saturday.
“It's in John's hands and the Prince is happy to go with whatever he feels. We'll wait and see where he guides us, but I suspect he'll guide us to the King George. That seems to be the way the vibes are. There's only one horse, Twice Over, who has won the Group 2 at York and then the Juddmonte at York. There is a Group 1 at Munich, but we'd have to supplement him. That was in the middle of the Eclipse and the Juddmonte, but we are keen to get a domestic Group 1. That would be the icing on the cake.”
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