Asiatic Boy on course for Sussex Stakes

Asiatic Boy pleased connections as he enjoyed a racecourse gallop with stablemate Irridescence in the build-up to Wednesday’s BGC Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Mike de Kock’s charge has not been seen since slamming his rivals in the UAE Derby back in March but is now set to tackle Excellent Art and Ramonti in the one-mile feature.

“He worked with Irridescence and she had a good run here in the Group One Falmouth Stakes, so I was very happy with that,” said Trevor Brown, De Kock’s assistant trainer.

“He’s had four runs for us, all of which were in Dubai, and he’s had four wins and won the Triple Crown there.”

Brown admits he faces his toughest test yet next week but is eager to see what he can do.

“You’ve got dirt form and then you’ve got turf form,” he told Channel 4 Racing.

“The Europeans are the best in the world and it’s a lot to ask of him as he’s still only a three-year-old.

“He doesn’t turn four until August in the southern hemisphere and he’s running against older horses, so we’ll just have to see.”