Godolphin's Group 1 scorer Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) will be freshened for the rest of the summer with the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November penciled in as a long-term target, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
A winner at two, the son of Bint Almatar (Kingmambo) ran fourth in the G1 2000 Guineas in May and was sixth to Lambourn (Australia) in the G1 Derby at Epsom in June. Wheeled back in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, the bay was second that day. He was most recently seen in action in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen, where he ran out a 2 1/2-length winner on July 27.
“He's fine, in good form, but I've given him a break,” said bin Suroor. “It's likely that I'll keep him back for the race in Bahrain. I just want to give him an easy time and miss York as he had been very busy, he ran in the Guineas, then the Derby, then Royal Ascot.
“I'll get him started on some light exercise, then in September we can start working him before going to Bahrain, he'll be ready for it. He needed a break.”
Other Middle Eastern targets are also under consideration for Tornado Alert, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
He added, “After Bahrain I'll take him to Dubai and if he's good enough, I'll take him to Saudi Arabia. We'll see how good he is on the dirt first and if not he can run in the turf race, I'll have to see.”
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