English/Ire
Survie ready for Neom Turf Cup challenge
“We're very happy and I do think the return to this kind of distance on better ground is what she needs”
French Group 1 placegetter Survie will attempt to justify her price tag when she lines up in Saturday's USD$3m Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, representing British trainer George Boughey for just the second time.
The high-class daughter of Churchill was bought in early December at Tattersalls in Newmarket for 1,900,000gns by Michael and Doreen Tabor, having been sourced from French-based trainers Nicolas Clement and Frauke Hermans. Her value had already been established through top-level performances in France and Ireland for former connections, with placings in the Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet, Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes and the Prix de Diane Longines.
The five-year-old made a comfortable winning stable debut under Ryan Moore in the Class 2 2000m Midnite Winter Derby Trial Conditions Stakes at the end of last month and will now step back up to top-level company, with Boughey pleased with his contender's condition.
He said: "She has done well. Obviously, she was a winner at Lingfield on her first start for us, but it was very much a prep-run for this race. She came out of the race good; she didn't do a huge amount last week but has shipped over in great shape.
"Kristan Archer and Anthonia Peck, who are out in Saudi with her, are very happy and that's the main thing. Dropping back to this trip was kind of always my plan, especially with this race having been upgraded to a Group 1 and with an extra $1m in prizemoney, it was an obvious point for her.
"I was very keen to get a race into her if I could, having been beaten convincingly over a mile and three-quarters [2800m] on very soft ground on her previous run. It's a very different set-up onto fast ground in Saudi Arabia."
"We're very happy and I do think the return to this kind of distance on better ground is what she needs, so we're very excited to have a filly operating at this level for Michael and Doreen Tabor, as our first solo horse for them."
Survie, who has been handed stall eleven, will have to take on a strong British-trained contingent if she is to claim top prize, with Karl Burke's Royal Champion looking to add further international riches to his CV after beating the reopposing Galen in the Group 2 Bahrain International Trophy in November. George Scott will also saddle his recent Bahrain (Listed Al Adiyat Cup) winner Phantom Flight, while Jerome Reynier is responsible for French interest with Facteur Cheval.
Classy Japanese performers Shin Emperor and Alohi Alii also add extra depth.
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