Aidan O'Brien has insisted that the Breeders Cup Classic is still Galileo's next intended target despite the dual-Derby winner appearing among the entries for the Dubai Champion Stakes yesterday.
Galileo's name was a surprise appearance alongside three other Ballydoyle entries for Saturday's Group One contest.
That automatically resulted in speculation about whether the colt would fulfil his eagerly awaited date with Fantastic Light and the best of America at Belmont in 11 days' time. However O'Brien poured cold water on the reports.
"He was left in the race but the plan is to go to America. He was just left in. There is no story at all," he said. "If you look at a lot of races, we leave in a lot of horses and Galileo was just left in."
He added: "The horse is fine and the plan is to go to America. Hopefully that will happen and so far, it's so good. Hawkeye and Beckett are the most likely runners in the Champion Stakes."
The Champion Stakes entry will have come as a rude shock to those punters who had backed the Irish horse down to 5 to 2 favourite for the 10-furlong dirt highlight.
Galileo's appearance against the best of Americans, such as last year's Classic winner Tiznow and the Jockey Club winner Aptitude, has long been advertised as the likely centrepiece of the proposed Breeders Cup card.
Despite the uncertain political situation worldwide, O'Brien appears determined to mount a sustained challenge on the other Breeders Cup races.
In addition to Johannesburg (Juvenile), Mozart (Sprint), Bach (Mile) and Black Minnaloushe, also in the Classic, the Ballydoyle trainer hasn't ruled out Milan from a surprise appearance in the Turf and Sophisticat in the Juvenile fillies.
With Johannesburg set for America, nine Ballydoyle colts have been left in Saturday's Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket but O'Brien appears to be leaning towards running the Grand Criterium winner Rock Of Gibralter against his Champagne conqueror, Dubai Destination.
"He has come out of his last race very well and Michael (Kinane) said circumstances beat him in the Champagne where he thought he made too much use of him. Clearly he is improving with his race and is getting better," said the trainer.
The National Stakes winner Hawk Wing does not appear among the nine and has been left off for the rest of the season.
Dewhurst Stakes betting (Cashmans:): 6-4 Dubai Destination, 7-4 Rock Of Gibraltar, 5-2 Comfy, 14-1 Where Or When, 25-1 Parasol, 200-1 Line Rider, Ice And Fire, Prince Tulum.
