Connections of A Boy Named Susie are leaning toward the Coral-Eclipse as opposed to the Irish Derby, favouring keeping at ten furlongs for now.
The son of Starspangledbanner was a three lengths winner on debut, but is yet to add to that Killarney success. He has contested Group races since, however, hitting the frame in each of those six events. He was a short-head second to the subsequent Derby winner Christmas Day in the Eyrefield Stakes. After that, he was second in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
He was behind Christmas Day again on seasonal debut, and ran a huge race in defeat in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club.
His ability is evidently there, and Donnacha O’Brien is hoping to prove he’s a Group 1 horse. Speaking on Nick Luck Daily, via Sporting Life, O’Brien said: “It’s looking like he’s going to go to the Eclipse, that’s what I have in my head at the moment.
“We left him in the Irish Derby just in case you change your mind. But I’d say it’s probably a 75% chance he goes to the Eclipse.”
Responding to a question as to whether Ombudsman not participating influenced the decision, O’Brien said: “Probably a bit; I mean, I was leaning that way anyway. Ombudsman sounded like he was unlikely to ever go and when it was confirmed, obviously it makes it a bit easier.
“He works like a fast horse” – Donnacha O’Brien
Regarding his stamina territory for 12 furlongs, O’Brien said: “I think it’s within his range but there’s not much stamina in his pedigree. It’s a Montjeu mare but all the other damside is very fast. Starspangledbanner, they can stay. But whether they stay a mile and a half, I’m not sure. He works like a fast horse.
“He’s maybe lacking a little bit of tactical pace at the minute. Which I think will get better as he gets older. But throughout the race he’s able to quicken and he doesn’t run like a slow horse. He can be a little bit of a funny ride. If you put him into gear it can be hard to get him out of it so we have to ride him quiet for the first few furlongs otherwise he can run a little bit keen.
“I think a smaller field makes things easier for him, easier for the jockeys, and he’s still a bit of a baby. He’s a big, tall, immature horse. I think of all of that will start to come together as he gets older. I think he’s going to be better again next year and we think he’s a Group 1 horse.”