Sakhee to face Galileo in Classic

Godolphin revealed today that Sakhee will take on Galileo in the Breeders` Cup Classic - and Fantastic Light will run in the Turf.

The eagerly awaited decision was made this morning after both horses had been working at Belmont Park.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'This decision was taken in Dubai by the Sheikhs. The thinking is that we felt Sakhee had acted the better on the dirt this morning.'

Frankie Dettori will ride both colts, it has been confirmed.

Explaining the Godolphin decision-making process, bin Suroor said: 'Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Maktoum, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Ahmed decide together what is the best for the horses. I keep the horses ready just in case something happens and I leave it to them and the decision came from Sheikh Hamdan.

'I think Sheikh Hamdan made the best decision to run Sakhee on the dirt. The horse has the class to run a big race on the dirt, he handles it.

'I can see the horse is really focused in his work. He is a professional horse, this is the first time he has run on the dirt but he handles it very well and I am happy to run him on the dirt.

'I am not surprised. It is great, we are trying to do something new, to see the Arc winner run in and win the Breeders` Cup Classic. The horse has a good turn of foot. A mile and a quarter is what I believe all the time is the best distance for him. He has speed, he is a class horse.

'We will see what happens on Saturday but I think I have feelings he will run a big race.'

Fantastic Light, fifth in the Turf last year, worked well on dirt on Tuesday, fuelling thoughts he would tackle the Classic.

But bin Suroor said: 'In Dubai our horses work on the dirt and run on the turf - this is normal. Fantastic Light has run all his races on the turf. I am happy with him. He has a great chance in the Turf. He is training very well.

'I am not worried about the draw. Over a mile and a half Frankie can look after him very well in the race. He likes to be close to the front and a strong pace is what he likes.

'Last year he was a little unlucky. And this year he is a different horse, he is stronger, a professional horse, more finished and focused in his races. I am confident about him.'

A surprised Dettori at least had the consolation that he will be able to ride both horses - who could each have been aimed at the same race.

'Yes, I was surprised,' he said. 'But we have now two shots at two big races, which is good. It`s hard enough to win any Breeders` Cup race. If we can win the Turf half the job has been done.

'Fantastic Light is a good horse - rightly he is favourite for the Turf. Sakhee is an Arc winner and a great horse, unbeaten this year. I hope he handles the dirt.'

Dettori will be hoping for better luck than Walter Swinburn endured on Godolphin`s well-fancied Halling over the same course and distance in the Classic six years ago - his mount trailed in a well-beaten last of 11 behind Cigar.

Sakhee, who won the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe-Lucien Barriere at Longchamp after an impressive seven-length win in the Juddmonte International at York, is the top-rated European middle-distance performer.

Corals now quote Sakhee and Galileo as 5-2 joint favourites for the Classic over a mile and a quarter on dirt .

Fantastic Light, who beat Galileo in the Ireland The Food Island Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September, is 4-5 favourite with the same firm for the Turf over a mile and a half.