Alan King hopes his Ebor star can take him where Trueshan couldn't - but rules out Melbourne Cup bid

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Alan King is hoping his Ebor winner Daiquiri Bay can take him to a place his great stayer Trueshan never did by making into a Gold Cup contender, but the trainer has categorically ruled out a bid for this year's Melbourne Cup.

Star stayer Trueshan, who won three Group 1s before being fatally injured in last year's Goodwood Cup, was declared and then withdrawn from the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot four years in a row from 2021.

King was speaking to the Racing Post for a major interview in Sunday’s newspaper and is hopeful Daiquiri Bay's versatility can help him reach similar levels, pointing out he is rated 1lb higher than Trueshan was at the equivalent stage of their careers following his York success.

The Long Distance Cup at Ascot, which Trueshan won by seven and a half lengths at the end of his four-year-old campaign, or the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp are the immediate options on the table for Daiquiri Bay.

King said: "It's only now you could start to mention the two in the same breath and he's still got to improve a stone to get to where Trueshan was at his peak, but at the same stage of their careers he's a pound higher, and I think he has that improvement in him as well.

"He's not as flamboyant as Trueshan, who could tank through a race, but this lad, you can put him where you want – particularly with the relationship he's struck up with Rossa [Ryan], who's become a big part of the story – so he'll definitely get two miles. 

"Will he get two and a half? I don't know, but he'll give himself a chance to, and he's much more versatile going-wise.

"I could never have run Trueshan at Royal Ascot on the ground Daiquiri Bay ran on, so that opens up possibilities, and I've never had a runner in an Ascot Gold Cup. Wouldn't that be great."

Daiquiri Bay followed up victory at Royal Ascot with a huge win in the Ebor at York last weekCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The Royal Ascot winner may have earned himself a place in the Melbourne Cup through the 'win and you're in' scheme at York, but King is not in any way tempted by a trip to Australia. 

He said: "It's not going to happen this year – it costs a hundred grand minimum to get there – and one thing's for certain, even if it were to happen, I wouldn't be going anyway. 

"I hate airports. I regard them as a necessary evil, and I never went to France any time Trueshan won." 

Read more from Alan King in The Big Read, available in Sunday's newspaper or online for Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers on Saturday

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