Suroor expects big run from Doyen
The Godolphin trainer’s representatives are hot favourite Doyen and last year’s runner-up Sulamani, and he also has rank outsider Lunar Sovereign.
“Everything is good. The horses are ready, they’ve had their last canter and I’m happy with both of them,” said Bin Suroor, who won the race with Lammtarra (1995), Swain (1997 and 1998) and Daylami (1999).
Doyen shot to the head of the betting for the midsummer highlight with a highly-impressive six-length victory over the King George course and distance in the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting. He lowered the track record, which had stood since 1983, on that occasion.
“Doyen is in good form. He doesn’t really show a lot in the mornings,” Bin Suroor continued.
“He was great at Royal Ascot. He has the class and he’s a professional.
“We are looking forward to running him in a Group One like the King George. It is a very tough and a very difficult race as usual, but we are hopeful that the horse is going to run a big race.
“Doyen won’t mind the fast ground but we would prefer some rain and softer ground for Sulamani.
“We will go ahead now with Sulamani. We are running him with Doyen so long as the ground is safe.”
Lunar Sovereign is expected to act as pacemaker for his stable companions.
Doyen’s jockey, Frankie Dettori, said he is taking nothing for granted as he attempts to win his fourth King George following victories on Lammtarra, Swain (1998) and Daylami.
“It is the King George and it is a very tough race but I’m on a good horse and if everything goes well he should be thereabouts,” he told At The Races.
“He looks magnificent. He’s an absolute monument of a horse - he’s absolutely beautiful.”
When asked how Doyen compared with his other King George winners, Dettori said: “I’ve ridden some great horses so I’ll tell you better tomorrow. Right now everything seems to be in the right place.”
