Just like his stablemate Military March is set to follow in the footsteps of Benbatl and be aimed at the Dubai World Cup next year with a switch from turf to dirt nothing new for trainer Saeed bin Suroor.
The Godolphin owned three year old has been three times in his career, winning both his outings as a juvenile and then in his first run this season finished a good fourth in the 2000 Guineas.
The son of New Approach was very prominent in the betting for the Epsom Derby before a setback ruled him out until later on in the season but it now looks as though bin Suroor has changed his mind again and he will campaigned towards the Dubai World Cup.
Just like the yardstick Benbatl the handler could give Military his debut on dirt in round two of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan in February, the race that Benbatl also made his debut on dirt.
The colt is said to be making smart progress since his setback but the Godolphin trainer has not nailed down a return date as of yet.
🔵 A @godolphin 1-2 in the Dubai Autumn Stakes!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2019
Champion jockey elect @oismurphy & Military March master William Buick & Al Suhail to plunder Group honours @NewmarketRace & remain unbeaten!
Yet another huge run from Ropey Guest in third for @MargarsonRacing pic.twitter.com/kRSMiIi9Q7
(Credit ATR) He said: “Military March is back in light training. We are not going to rush him and he will be out at the end of September or early October, where we will find a race for him. The horse is doing well physically.
“We will look to give him one more run in England, then take him to Dubai – but he needs to have one more run here to make sure he is fit when he goes out there as he is a big horse.
“We will target one of the Al Maktoum Challenge races to start with to see if he handles the dirt. Everyone is always searching for a horse for the Dubai World Cup and if he did well on the dirt he could be a horse for the race.”
There is no guarantee that he will take to dirt and if that is the case, his trainer has a back up plan back on turf.
He added: “We will have to see how he handles the dirt, but if he doesn’t we would switch him back to the turf.
“It is too early to say what the future plans will be, but if the dirt didn’t work out we could look at the Dubai Turf or Sheema Classic.
“After Dubai he will be back racing in England again.”