Charlie Appleby looks to have every chance of adding a fourth Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf success to his CV when Aomori City and Al Qudra take to the Del Mar track on Friday night.
Just over a decade after Appleby first tasted victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with Outstrip, the Moulton Paddocks handler returns to Del Mar double-handed, as Aomori City and Al Qudra take centre stage in the California sun.
Line Of Duty added to the trainer's tally in the one-mile Grade 1 contest in 2018, whilst Modern Games, who was controversially scratched in error by the stewards after an incident at the start, ensured Godolphin's number one maestro would yet again taste success stateside in the infamous juvenile prize.
The market struggles to split Aomori City and Al Qudra, with Appleby echoing the sentiment that there's very little between the pair.
"Aomori City and Al Qudra are hard to split on what they have achieved in the Juvenile Turf," he told Sky Sports Racing.
With Buick opting to ride Aomori City, James Doyle will get the leg up on Al Qudra as he attempts to reverse the form with Andrew Balding's Summer Stakes scorer New Century. Although comfortably beaten by the Qatar Racing-owned two-year-old at Woodbine in Canada, both Appleby and Buick have good reason to believe the son of No Nay Never can reverse the form.
"I think there are hopes we can reverse the form (with New Century)," said Appleby. "Post-race I wasn't quite sure whether our horses were firing on all cylinders, everyone was pleased but it was a long travel to Woodbine, and I just walked away thinking that none of mine were quite 100%.
"We've put that behind us and here today, I'm very pleased with the horse. He looks great and we've got a nice low draw whereas New Century is out in stall eleven. I think the advantage is swinging our way this weekend."
On the chances of James Doyle's mount, Buick added: "New Century probably improved, but Al Qudra got a bump at Woodbine which didn't help him. I don't think it was a result-changing incident but he's a good solid horse and he's got a kind draw.
"I think he'll keep improving and he likes fast ground. He's got plenty of streetwise and is a solid horse."
Whilst Al Qudra has been handed a kind draw in gate four, Buick will likely have to work some Norwegian magic on Aomori City, who he elected to partner before the draw was made.
Buick said: "I ride Aomori City who didn't get drawn very well in twelve but that's one of those things. There wasn't anything between him and Al Qudra; obviously, the draw has had an influence, but Aomori City was a good Vintage Stakes winner and ran a good race in the National Stakes at the Curragh.
"I think he has some improvement in him, but we're just going to need a good bit of luck from stall twelve."
Appleby added: "I think it's the perfect trip for him. It was a hard choice for William Buick (which horse to ride), and we felt it was very tight between the two with both having similar profiles.
"I said to Will, whatever one you pick will end up going and getting a wide draw and that's where we are in stall twelve."
