Adam West is keeping his sights on defending Live In The Dream's title in the Nunthorpe race, following a change in tactics that led to a loss in the Coral Charge event.
Last season, the chestnut horse quickly climbed up the sprint ranks, finishing well in the Palace House and Temple Stakes before moving up to Group One level at York in August. There, he won the Nunthorpe race after taking the lead and crossing the finish line ahead by a length under jockey Sean Kirrane. This victory earned him a spot at the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.
Although Live In The Dream came in fourth in America, prompting his team to try a more conservative approach this season, the gelding has had mixed results so far. After finishing second in the Temple Stakes and fifth in the Achilles Stakes, he placed fourth in a race at Sandown due to challenging conditions.
Despite the setback, West remains optimistic and views the experience as a valuable lesson. He still plans to prepare Live In The Dream for a return to the Nunthorpe event.
The horse is currently entered in the King George Stakes at Goodwood and has the option to compete in the Prix du Cercle at Deauville. However, the main focus remains on the Nunthorpe race, which could potentially lead to another shot at the Breeders' Cup.
As West explains, Live In The Dream needs to be ridden aggressively under the right conditions to perform at his best. While recent races may not have gone as planned, the team is determined to work towards achieving their ultimate goal of success in the upcoming events.