LiveScore Racing News: Dubawi Legend set for Breeders' Cup meeting

Connections of Dubawi Legend are plotting a run at next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after his stellar second in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

A maiden winner on debut back at Doncaster in July, the two-year-old finished a disappointing third to Mark Johnston's Royal Patronage when stepping up to Group company in the following month's Acomb Stakes at York. 

Another step up in grade was the challenge on Saturday as he made his first Group 1 appearance at HQ.

And Dubawi Legend produced a spirited showing under James Doyle to eventually finish second behind Charlie Appleby's unbeaten Native Trail. 

Hugo Palmer's unshakeable belief in the juvenile had been questioned following his frustrating outing on the Knavesmire but his performance restored the faith in him, notably coming home ahead of last month's Champagne Stakes winner Bayside Boy. 

A run at November's Breeders' Cup meeting is now the preferred option, with the Juvenile Turf Palmer's favoured route. 

The Newmarket handler insists all is well with his charge after Saturday's race, adding that it was almost a relief to see him justify the hype surrounding him.

Palmer said: "He's come out of the race great, he ran an absolute blinder, he showed the world what we have always thought of him, that he is a two-year-old out of the very top drawer.

"We've been excited about him for a long time and it was great he came and did that. We're very excited about him. 

"I'm not saying we could have beaten the winner but it was only the third run of his career and if we'd have managed to get him to the Champagne — he had a bad scope the morning of declaration — I think he proved he'd have won that." 

Another big run at Del Mar will strengthen claims of an entry into next April's 2000 Guineas, where a rematch with Native Trail could be on the agenda. 

Palmer won the race with Galileo Gold in 2016 but admits that his latest candidate still may not be quite ready as things stand. 

However, the trainer believes crossing the Atlantic will help his charge mature, with the chance to race abroad something he can only see benefitting this son of Dubawi. 

Palmer added: "At the moment we are planning as if we are going to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. 

"He's going to need to be in top order for us to do that but he's come out of the race phenomenally well.

"The 2000 Guineas is a proper hustle and bustle race. I think the trip to Del Mar will really make him grow up."