Sky Hunter is set to head into quarantine to prepare for the Emirates Melbourne Cup following a good second in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup over 11 furlongs at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, September 19.
Sky Hunter is set to head into quarantine to prepare for the Emirates Melbourne Cup following a good second in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup over 11 furlongs at Newbury, UK, on Saturday, September 19.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old was smartly into his stride and led the five runners initially before being taken back to settle in fourth by James Doyle after a furlong.
He moved up to dispute third with three quarters of a mile left and made good progress to briefly press for the lead approaching the two-furlong pole.
Sky Hunter kept on to go down by a length and a half to The Corsican, who won in 2m 27.27s on ground described as good to soft, soft in places, with a length back to Eagle Top in third.
Saeed bin Suroor said: "Sky Hunter ran a very good race on his first appearance since March, especially as he had a penalty for his win in the Dubai City Of Gold.
"We will see how he comes out of this race but we will look at entering him into quarantine for Australia next week along with Secret Number, who will also be considered for the Emirates Melbourne Cup."
The Group One Emirates Melbourne Cup, run over two miles at Flemington on November 3, is the race that stops the nation in Australia.
