O’Brien hoping positive tactics will curtail City Of Troy kickback fears

Breeders’ Cup Classic contender will be having his first race on dirt at Del Mar.

Aidan O’Brien gave a clear indication on Wednesday that City Of Troy would be ridden to avoid any kickback in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, while stating his superstar colt’s free sweat during and after his routine exercise on Tuesday was a good thing and of no detriment.

The Derby, Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner is closing in on his date with destiny on dirt against the best of America – and Japan – this weekend, and as is well-documented will be racing away from turf for the first time.

Ridden again by Rachel Richardson in more or less replicating the exercise he had on Tuesday when emerging from quarantine, the son of American Triple Crown hero Justify also went through the starting gate, and O’Brien was in an upbeat mood afterwards.

He said: “We put them through the stalls in bunches of threes and fours and they did a canter similar to yesterday, just a fraction quicker.

“American gates look bigger, but when you get in them, they are not, they are actually a little more claustrophobic. So, the horse’s reaction has to be quicker, as they will feel every vibration and they just come alive.

“It’s an impulsive thing and if they think for a split second, it’s going to be too slow.

“Ryan (Moore) will probably be going forward to try to keep him away from the kickback. We will all learn very quickly how it’s going for him, but he’s really come alive and he has a nice draw.

“He just cantered seven furlongs today before he went through the stalls and tomorrow he will go a little bit further and faster.”

The sweat on City Of Troy was noticeable on Tuesday, but there was no sign of the same thing on this occasion. And in any case, O’Brien was not in the slightest bit concerned.

He added: “He sweated yesterday and I feel it’s better when they sweat, no matter what people say. You want him to warm up if he’s cold behind, it’s a normal reaction.

“If everything falls right for him, we will see what happens. We think we’ve done all we can, but there are only so many variables you can cover without blowing their mind.”

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