CITY Of Troy’s owners are set to earn over £200,000-a-minute on Saturday – after punters claimed the Derby hero was left with ‘nothing to beat’ in the Coral-Eclipse.
Aidan O’Brien’s superstar colt has been smashed into 2-5 for Saturday’s big race after main market rival White Birch was ruled out.
John Joseph Murphy’s striking grey returned poor blood test results for the second major meeting in a row.
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He will not travel to Sandown for the 1m2f Group 1, meaning City Of Troy’s biggest rival – according to the market at least – is now Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini, who’s as big as 8-1.
Dancing Gemini was beaten more than eight lengths by City Of Troy in the Derby but came close in a Longchamp Group 1 over a mile so could get closer over this shorter trip.
But it’s clear bookies think there will be only one winner.
And City Of Troy will land his owners – John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith – more than £200,000-a-minute should he succeed.
First place in the blockbuster summer Group 1 is worth £425,325 and the winning time of the ten furlong race has traditionally been a shade over two minutes.
It looks like being good ground at the track with the threat of only light rain on Friday.
So if City Of Troy, who is by Triple Crown-winning Justify, really turns on the afterburners he could get close to a record time.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “It’s obviously disappointing for all concerned that White Birch will not be lining up in Saturday’s big race.
“He would have been the chief market rival to City Of Troy, but in his absence, the Derby winner is now 2-5 favourite to complete the big race double.”
Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter was fourth in the Prix Du Jockey Club and could pose a threat if learning to settle sooner.
While Aidan O’Brien is also set to run recent Coronation Cup scorer Luxembourg.
The pair are 7-1 and 8-1 respectively with race sponsors Coral but beyond that everything is double digits.
Hence some punters saying City Of Troy has ‘nothing to beat’ on his latest step towards racing immortality.
Coral-Eclipse odds via Coral
2-5 City Of Troy
7-1 Dancing Gemini, Ghostwriter
8-1 Luxembourg
16-1 Jayarebe
25-1 Al Riffa, Continuous
50-1 Stay Alert
66-1 Hans Andersen, See The Fire
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