David Simcock is sending new recruit Red Duke on his travels to contest the Topkapi Trophy in Istanbul on Sunday.
International task for new recruit
Red Duke will be making his debut for Newmarket trainer David Simcock when he lines-up for the Topkapi Trophy in Istanbul on Sunday.
Owner Peter Clay, whose horses run in the name of his Wigan-based metal recycling business Maxilead Ltd, moved the three-year-old colt from John Quinn's North Yorkshire yard to Simcock's stables after he was unplaced in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood earlier this month.
Red Duke won the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket as a two-year-old and was placed in the Vintage Stakes and the Champagne Stakes.
However, he has not lived up to expectations this season, though he did finish third behind Caspar Netscher in the German 2000 Guineas, and Clay believes Red Duke will benefit from a change of scenery.
Excellent Money
The son of Hard Spun has settled into his new surroundings well and is bound for the Group Two over a mile in Turkey.
"He's gone from John's to David Simcock's along with another one of mine, Duchess Dora. I've still left horses with John," said Clay.
"Red Duke had already been entered by John for Turkey. David's got him going and says we should go and the prize money is excellent.
"He travels well and he did well when he went to Dubai earlier in the year (fifth in the UAE Derby) but he's not had the best of luck in his running.
"We just thought by moving him to David's it might just spark a bit of revival.
"I sponsor Tom Queally and he's been to David's and sat on him and said he felt nice and relaxed.
"The horse travels to Turkey today and we are flying out to see him run.
"I'm hopeful he can get in the first four. There's about £50,000 for finishing fourth.
"There's £180,000 to the winner and they help you with expenses. It's very good and worth going for."
