'Iron Horse' Giant`s Causeway breezed into Southwell today and pleased his connections with a work-out in preparation for next month`s Breeder`s Cup Classic.
It was a dramatic change of surroundings for the ultra-tough Aidan O`Brien-trained colt as it was originally planned to run him in the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow.
However, his owners` decision to run Montjeu in the Group One contest caused a change of plan.
The exercise was treated as if it was a race day and, after just ambling nonchalantly around the pre-parade ring, he was keen to get on with the job when Michael Kinane mounted him in the parade ring proper.
Along with his stable companions Shoal Creek and Apollo Victoria, he hack cantered down the straight before going into a steady gallop with nine furlongs in front of them.
Shoal Creek took them along, followed by Apollo Victoria with Kinane tucking in Giant`s Causeway on the rails with the intention of seeing how he handled kick-back.
They stepped up a gear as they turned into the straight and when asked a question inside the last quarter mile Giant`s Causeway quickened past the pacemaker and passed the post with at least four lengths to spare.
His time for the last three furlongs was impressive and his delighted trainer said: 'Mick was very happy with him, he handled the surface though we didn`t really think he wouldn`t anyway.
'He is a very handy horse but I was surprised he finished six lengths in front of Shoal Creek, he is a Listed horse and Giant`s Causeway never does that whatever he gallops with at home.
'We just wanted him to step it up from around the bend and he usually works with those two horses.
'He did it nice and easy and Michael said he just really started to get going at the line and he was very happy with him.
'We will take him back home now. He will probably have an easy week and then we will probably do three or four pieces of work before the Breeder`s Cup.'
Giant`s Causeway will not be returning to work at Southwell before the big day but O`Brien concluded: 'They travelled over well and it is a lovely evening and the track was lovely.'
Kinane was delighted with the afternoon`s work and said: 'It was never intended to be a searching piece and it was an easy day for him for a change!
'He got hold of the track and there wasn`t much kickback on it _ I was quite happy with him.
'We did not go particularly quick early on, we just wanted him to build up and finish well.
'We came home nicely but he is always better with loads of pace on _ you never expect him to come home 10 clear.
'It will be different on Breeders` Cup day at Churchill Downs but this is as good an exercise as we can do with him, the surface is as close as you can get to it.
'But he is a very adaptable horse. He has won on fast ground, he has won on soft, he seems very content and is in great shape.'
