There has been plenty to ponder with the Sandown Guineas winner Allibor for trainer Symon Wilde and his owners.
The three-year-old son of All Too Hard successfully held off race favourite Sweet Reply to win the Group 2 Guineas on Saturday.
Offers of up to $1 million have come in from Hong Kong to acquire the services of the lightly raced horse and is currently being discussed between the owners group on whether or not to accept.
The Guineas win sees Allibor having to race at a top level going forward rather than going through the grades like his trainer would’ve preferred.
Being that the Guineas win was a maiden victory for the three-year-old, it will make it tough for the horse having to race up in grade as he continues to improve.
It is something that Wilde believes will be difficult as improvement will only come with the more racing he does which would have been made possible by going through the grades.
“It’s probably put him into a category where he wouldn’t usually be,” Wilde said on SEN Track.
“He’s a developing horse, he’s still very raw and green and it would’ve been lovely to go through the grades because I think he’d get better and better the more racing he does.
“He’s now probably having to race at a very high level in fair old Group races.
“It’s not ideal but I think you’ve got to take the opportunities when they come.”
Wilde is keen to keep the services of the horse as he feels the horse will only improve over further ground going forward and is looking forward to seeing what level he can get to.
“It looks like 2000 metres (is his best distance),” he added.
“He’s the most relaxed horse in the yard and even in his races, he doesn’t seem to wake up until the jockey gives him a slap with the whip, he’s incredibly relaxed.
“So, it appears the 2000m would be his perfect distance.”
The future on whether Allibor stays in Australia or is sold to Hong Kong should be announced in the coming days.
Allibor is being spelled in the paddock and will likely return in the Autumn if the owners decide to keep the horse racing in Victoria.