Sir Henry Cecil already has one eye on next year’s major prizes for Frankel as the unbeaten colt prepares to sign off for the season in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
The Galileo colt justified the winter hype with a scarcely believable performance in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
And while he was not as flashy in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, he annihilated top older miler Canford Cliffs with an awesome performance in Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes last time out.
He sticks to a mile (1600m) for his final start of the year at Ascot on October 15 but Cecil is considering stepping him up to 10 furlongs (2000m) next season – with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup a thrilling possibility.
“He could, I’m not saying he will, as it’s a long year, go to the Lockinge (for his first run as a four-year-old) as I like to start them off over a shorter distance,” Cecil said.
“Then there’s the Prince of Wales’s or the Queen Anne at Ascot, and you could do the Sussex or the Eclipse. There are a lot of choices.
“If he’s retired next year, maybe the Prince (owner Khalid Abdullah) will decide to finish in the Breeders’ Cup, as he loves the Breeders’ Cup.
“I’m not sure I’d be too happy running him on dirt, but time will tell.”
Frankel was accompanied by two work companions for a spin on the Watered Gallop in Newmarket on Friday with big-race jockey Tom Queally doing the steering.
He readily swept clear of Bullet Train and another stablemate to leave Cecil thoroughly satisfied and of the belief that his star colt is maturing all the time.
“I gave Frankel a rest after Goodwood, quite a long rest, and I decided to build him up a little bit early, with the option of bringing him back a bit if I need to, with the QEII in mind,” he said.
“I’d rather be ahead of time than try to catch a train.
“Physically he looks well, but he’s growing up a lot mentally. He used to take a keen hold but now he’s far more relaxed.”
On what promises to be an enthralling Champions Day at Ascot, Cecil will also hold an enviable hand in the Champion Stakes with Juddmonte International first and second Twice Over and Midday set to do battle again.
Twice Over supplied Ian Mongan with a deserved big-race victory at York and he will keep the ride at Ascot, with Queally maintaining his partnership on Midday who will be retired at the end of the season.
PA AAP TURF
