Dirt debut awaits for Oxted as Teal prepares star sprinter for Saudi Arabia test

Roger Teal is heavily leaning towards handing Oxted a dirt debut in Saudi Arabia next month.

Oxted progressed through the sprinting ranks in one of the most heartening stories of the 2020 Flat season, handing Teal and Cieren Fallon their Group 1 breakthrough when winning the July Cup.

Fifth and beaten just a length on his final start of the season in the Champions Sprint, Oxted is being prepared for a trip to Riyadh for the Saudi Cup meeting and has two options, the Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the 1351 Turf Sprint, on February 20.

With the latter race over 1351 metres (approaching seven furlongs), Teal is favouring the Riyadh Dirt Sprint over six furlongs and worth $1.5 million in prize-money.

Teal said: "We're favouring the dirt purely because it’s six furlongs. The surface is an unknown but because it’s a flat six furlongs, we think that’s the way we’re going to go.

Oxted: set for first run on dirt next monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He’s a good-moving horse, he handles all sorts of ground. He trains on an all-weather surface every day and the reports are very good about the dirt track in Saudi, so that gives us confidence. As long as there isn't going to be tonnes of kickback we’re going to be happy to run him on it.

“The timing of the race is good for us, it was a nice time for us to give him a break and prepare him for the season ahead. We can go to Saudi, come back, and maybe go to Dubai for World Cup night if things go to plan. We can then prepare for Ascot and have another go at the July Cup.

"He’s got good gate speed, he travels strong and has good early pace. In last year’s race, the Japanese horse broke away, looked like he had the race won and the American horse came from the back of the pack to run him down. It was a strongly run race last year and that will suit him."

Oxted: son of Mayson won this year's July CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Lambourn trainer, who has experienced success abroad with the likes of Tip Two Win, is hoping to take Oxted for an away day to Wolverhampton before his Saudi trip to experience another different aspect of the test.

Teal added: "He’s pretty much on track, his work has been stepping up weekly. We’re very happy so we’ll just keep tipping away.

“We’re hoping to take him for an away day if we’re allowed to. I’m hoping to get him to Wolverhampton just to have one good sprint around the turn as he’s never raced around a bend – that’s another thing we’ve got to find out about him."

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