De Kock eyes Summer Mile for Archipenko.

Byline: By Tony Elves

ARCHIPENKO could make his British debut for Mike de Kock in the Group 2 Plymouth Gin Summer Mile at Ascot on July 12, as a prelude to a tilt at the Arlington Million on August 9.

The Kingmambo colt, winner of the Group 1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1m2f at Sha Tin in April, was in action on the July course yesterday morning under Kevin Shea in preparation for Ascot, working over six furlongs in company wi th Warsaw. Archipenko quickened away in the final two furlongs to finish four lengths clear of his workmate.

Shea said: "That was very good. He quickened up really well when we stepped up the tempo in the final half-mile, and he's ready for action.

Archipenko was trained by Aidan O'Brien when finishing fifth to Ramonti in the Sussex Stakes last year. He has shown improved form for De Kock this year, being beaten only half a length by Jay Peg in the Dubai Duty Free before his big Hong Kong success.

Trevor Brown, assistant to De Kock, said: "He'll probably have a run in the Summer Mile and then go on to the Arlington Million."

Shea was also on board Dubai Sheema Classic winner Sun Classique. The five-year-old was accompanied by Trinity College in her exercise over six furlongs but needed all of her jockey's urgings to get on top in the closing stages.

Sun Classique has the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot as her main midsummer target, and the jockey was far from despondent with her effort.

Shea said: "That's just how she works - she doesn't work at all! But she was moving well, and is a different filly in the afternoon.