Gosden understands ground concerns

Horse Racing
Gosden 'got it wrong' with Too Darn Hot

Trainer John Gosden admits Roaring Lion may struggle with the kickback on the dirt surface during the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The three-year-old is set to compete in the USA after a sensational season on home soil.


Gosden’s stable star has won his last four races this season and connections have now decided to have a go at the American showpiece.


After four Group One wins, Gosden is not worried by the opposition at Churchill Downs, but he admits the dust from the ground could cause problems.


‘It’s extremely game and sporting of the owners (Qatar Racing Ltd) of Roaring Lion to put him in the Classic,’ said Gosden.


‘We are all perfectly aware that racing on the dirt is one thing.

But as I’ve found down the years, the problem is the kickback – not the surface.

We will see how we get on in that department.


‘He has done everything right.

He is a tough horse.

It’s a massive challenge to race on the dirt.

I don’t need to tell you that we don’t want a sloppy track.

A sloppy track is a real acquired taste – and usually the jockeys with the cleanest silks win, which tells you something.’

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