Arlington Million scouting report: Tryster

Tryster aims to become the first Godolphin runner to pass the post first in the Arlington Million (G1). Godolphin’s Sulamani was famously awarded the victory upon Storming Home’s disqualification in the 2003 Million.

By past Godolphin star (and noted Darley sire) Shamardal, Tryster hails from the yard of Charlie Appleby. He didn’t set the world alight earlier in his career on turf, and had to get class relief at Brighton to break his maiden. But once Tryster resurfaced on synthetic, he was a revelation. He reeled off a five-race winning spree culminating in the Winter Derby (G3) and lucrative Easter Classic in early 2015. Tryster tried to transfer his winning habit to turf next time in the Brigadier Gerard (G3), but he trailed home last of five, renewing skepticism about his aptitude for the surface. Appleby reportedly believed that the race – a small field, tactical affair – simply didn’t set up well for the deep closer.

Freshened for four months, Tryster resumed with a late-running victory back on the Chelmsford City all-weather last September. He embarked for Dubai in hopes of developing into a World Cup (G1) contender, only to display a distaste for dirt in his training.

So Appleby gave him another shot on turf at the 2016 Dubai Carnival, and Tryster finally showed that he can deploy his trademark acceleration on the lawn too. With last-to-first panache, he annihilated the field in the February 16 Dubai Millennium (G3) at his preferred 10-furlong trip, and came right back to add the March 5 Jebel Hatta (G1) at about nine furlongs: