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Wesley Ward, the American trainer with 12 wins at Royal Ascot, is preparing to bring at least three or possibly four of his 2YO racehorses to the prestigious English meeting this year. His horses recently completed a half-mile breeze on grass at Keeneland, and Ward is optimistic about their chances at Ascot.
He is particularly enthusiastic about Saturday Flirt, Ultima Grace, and Burning Pine, all of whom demonstrated high abilities in their first races at Keeneland in April. Ward's horses are scheduled to fly out of Indianapolis on July 12 and will undergo training at Kempton Park before the Royal Ascot event.
Velazquez has the mount for Ultima Grace, while Joel Rosario rides Burning Pine. Ward said he is awaiting word on whether Irad Ortiz Jr. will ride Saturday Flirt.
He said of his group, "What I've seen of these, they're going to be very competitive."
Karl Burke Weighs Options for Fallen Angel and Darnation
Karl Burke is considering the next outing for his Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Fallen Angel. He hasn't made a decision yet, but he is considering the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot as a possibility.
Burke said: “We haven’t had a sit down and chat with either owner yet, but I can’t see Darnation going to Royal Ascot, I think the ground will be too quick for her and she is very much dictated by that.
“She’s in the German Oaks back at Dusseldorf which is a valuable race and a possibility.
“Fallen Angel, obviously the Coronation Stakes is pretty high on the list but she is still in the French Oaks and again ground will dictate.
“I would love to go to Ascot with her if there is good ground. I think that would be a great race for her up the hill on the round mile.”
The son of No Nay Never trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is eyeing Royal Ascot after a successful season. Never So Brave showed promise as a juvenile, finishing as the runner-up to subsequent Group One winners Ancient Wisdom and Vandeek. He also defeated James Ferguson’s Jubilee Walk.
This season, he impressed with a four-length victory at a Thirsk maiden in April and followed it up with a win on his handicap debut at Chester. With a mark of 101, he is now being considered for the Group Three Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
According to Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, 'He has been fine, he’s on schedule for Royal Ascot. Everything around him has gone very well, the form has certainly stood up. I think he’s at least a Group Three horse, and we can see how he progresses from there. I don’t think he’s going to run in the Britannia, I think it will more likely be the Jersey. We’re quite keen to step him up to Pattern level.'"
Persica, ridden by Sean Levey, triumphed in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap at Epsom, holding off a challenge from Portsmouth to win by two and a quarter lengths.
Trainer Richard Hannon expressed his plans to take Persica to Royal Ascot and consider a move into group company based on the handicapper's decision.
"He will go to Royal Ascot, and what race now, I’m not sure. There’s three options and we will see what the handicapper does, one option could be the Hampton Court," said Hannon.
In another race, Blue Storm, ridden by Rossa Ryan, won the Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap by three-quarters of a length at 8-1. Trainer Gemma Tutty revealed her satisfaction with the horse's performance and shared that the long-term plan has been the Palace of Holyrood House at Ascot.
Rogue Lightning is targeting the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot for Tom Clover after starting his season in the Temple Stakes at Haydock. The four-year-old won three times last year before finishing fifth in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp. He finished sixth in the Temple Stakes and is now in race mode, with the King Charles III Stakes as his next target.
“He’s at his best during the summer and the autumn, I think it was a good stepping stone for us to go to Royal Ascot from there,” Clover said.
“He’s come out of the race lovely, we might just take the hood off in the race next time. He’s definitely sharpened up, he is in race mode now.
“He’s got course and distance form at Ascot, where he goes afterwards I’m not sure, but we could go to Goodwood potentially and I’ve put him in the July Cup in case we want to go there.
“I’d imagine we’ll be staying at five (furlongs), fingers crossed he can have a really good season.”