Breeders' option for Cat

Godolphin are mulling the Breeders' Cup options for Discreet Cat following his return to action in the Grade One Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont Park.

The four-year-old finished third in his first start since a no-show in the Dubai World Cup on 31 March, after which it was discovered he was suffering with a throat infection.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor admitted he was a little disappointed with Discreet Cat's effort in the six-furlong heat but is expecting a better show in the Breeders' Cup at Monmouth Park later this month.

'I talked to the jockey after the race. The horse got a little tired in the race - of course he had not run for six months,' he said.

The distance was a little short and I am sure Discreet Cat will improve for this run. He had a good blow and needed it. I will see how he is after the race and we are looking forward to running him in the new dirt mile at the Breeders' Cup (26 October) or the Breeders' Cup Classic (27 October).

'I was disappointed with Sunday's performance but you have to remember the problem he had in the Dubai World Cup and it takes time to heal.

We had to find a race for him at Grade One level and, while he was looking good and working well, whatever he did in the morning was obviously not enough,' he told www.godolphin.com.

'Discreet Cat needed the race - he gave a good blow - and he will be fine in the future when racing over longer distances.

Discreet Cat won a Grade One over a mile at Aqueduct last year and bin Suroor believes he can return to that sort of form.

The trainer added: 'When horses get sick, it can take months and you have to be very patient. "Discreet Cat is a top class horse and you have to forget today's race and look to the future.
I am expecting a good run from him over a mile at the end of October in the Breeders' Cup.'