Cox Plate invitee Benbatl has bounced back to form with a Group One victory in Germany.
The Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes are the next potential targets for Benbatl who won three times at Meydan earlier in the year, including a brilliant victory in the Dubai Turf on World Cup night.
The four-year-old disappointed when favourite for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, but had significantly less on his plate in the Grosser Dallmayr Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen in Munich, and stamped his class with an authoritative display in the hands of Oisin Murphy.
“He travelled strongly and Oisin kept him at the front. It was an easy win for him,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor said.
“The ground at Royal Ascot was too firm for him. In Germany the ground is nice as they have had some rain in the last couple of days. I also think a mile and a quarter (2000m) is maybe the best trip for him.
“We’ll keep the options open for him. He could go for the Juddmonte at York (August 22) or the Irish Champion (Leopardstown, September 15).
“Later in the year we could think about taking him to Australia. We’ll discuss the options with Sheikh Mohammed.”
Benbatle is a $51 chance in Cox Plate betting with Champion mare Winx stifling the betting at $1.55.
#R7MünchenRiem #Galop #International Benbatl s'impose, associé à Oisin Murphy, dans le Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (Grp I), à Munich. pic.twitter.com/sDQKHn4WdX
— Equidia (@equidia) July 29, 2018
