Toast of New York's increasingly unlikely for KY Derby

English-based Toast of New York, winner of last Saturday's Group 2 U.A.E.

Derby, is becoming ever less likely to line up at Churchill Downs on the first

Saturday in May. Owner Michael Buckley told

Racing UK Friday that it would be "unfair" to send the still-progressing

colt off on further international travels to the Kentucky Derby.

Speaking after his Beat That won a Grade 1 over the jumps at Aintree, the

Sefton Novices' Hurdle, Buckley emphasized that he was taking a long-term view

with Toast of New York.

"The horse got back (from Dubai) on Monday night," Buckley said. "He's just

having a walk round this week.

"He's in great shape. He's got a wonderful constitution. Obviously it took a

lot out of him. He lost 10 kilos in the race and by Monday morning he had put it

all back on again and lost a fair bit coming back.

"It was a hell of an experience for a horse used to going to Wolverhampton,

where there's usually not many people there.

"No decisions have been made, but I think it's fair enough to say I don't

think the concept of going off to Kentucky on the other side of the world and

slogging around on the dirt is a fair thing to do with a horse like him.

"It's a time when three-year-olds are growing and maturing and he's been hard

training the whole year. I just think it will be unfair to do that. I think he

might develop even more. He's a horse with a lot of potential. He's very good

and we think it's right to give him the time to prove how good he is."