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| Staff Writer |
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Seven weeks ahead of Royal Ascot, the entries for the Group One and early closing Group Two contests confirmed the participation of the anticipated Australian sprinters Chain Of Lightning and Asfoora.
Henry Dwyer's two-time Group Two winner recently arrived in England to kick off her international campaign. Her first race will be in the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock Park on 25th May, followed by a run in the Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes on the opening day of the prestigious Royal Ascot event.
“Asfoora had a quiet weekend after arriving on Thursday night, but she had a saddle on her back on Monday and all went well,” Dwyer told Ascot.
“She had another canter this morning and I would imagine we will do a bit of pace work with her on Wednesday.
“In the UK there is a good program over 1000m at Haydock, Ascot, Goodwood and York, which is why we decided to travel.
“Her last three wins have come over 1100m, but she has form over 1200m and everyone tells me the King Charles III Stakes rides more like a six-furlong race.
“It won’t be an easy task for her, although it is all relative to the competition.
“We have bumped into Imperatriz a couple of times and, if we can be semi-competitive with the world’s best sprinter, we are hoping that will translate to the UK.”
Chain Of Lightning, trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, is also entered in both the King Charles III Stakes and the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
“The plan of attack with her at the moment is a little unique,” Moody said.
“She will have her next and probably only lead up run between now and Ascot in the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 on 18th May.
“Then she will head to the broodmare sale on May 24, so it depends on who owns her after that but, if she is still in my care, it would be my intention to travel her over for Royal Ascot on 5th June.
The upcoming five-day event has drawn numerous international participants. American contenders are eyeing the prestigious sprint awards, while Japanese representatives, such as 2023 Golden Eagle champion Obamburumai for the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes and Sunday’s Tenno Sho (Spring) winner T O Royal for the Gr.1 Gold Cup, are also in the mix.
Australian racing enthusiasts will also be familiar with Absurde and Vauban, both of whom were among last year’s Melbourne Cup competitors and are now entered in the Gold Cup. Additionally, trainer Willie Mullins has included Absurde in the entries for the Gr.2 Hardwicke Stakes, where potential rivals may include two-time Sydney Group One winner Dubai Honour, Royal runner Desert Hero, and the Liberty Racing-owned Fantastic Moon.