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| Staff Writer |
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Docklands could take the scenic route to Royal Ascot glory via Epsom, with trainer Harry Eustace considering the Diomed Stakes as an ideal steppingstone to the Queen Anne Stakes.
The 5YO's commanding display in the Paradise Stakes at Ascot, where he finished just half a length behind Sardinian Warrior, has left Eustace plotting an ambitious campaign that could culminate in a return to Australian racing.
"I'd say it felt nearly a career performance, particularly off a break having travelled a lot. I thought it was a big, big run," Eustace reflected on Docklands' recent effort.
The trainer is weighing up his options carefully, with the proximity of Epsom to Ascot playing a crucial factor in his thinking. "I think the Queen Anne will be the next target but I'm going to make him an entry in the Diomed, just giving its location to Ascot," he explained.
Docklands appears to be thriving despite his extensive travels, prompting Eustace to consider an aggressive programme. "I thought there was a chance that race could just cut up a bit and he's five and pretty hardy and seems to take his racing well, so we'll just see what the weather's doing and what the ground might be like, but he'll certainly get an entry at Epsom and we'll see what happens."
Long-term plans for Docklands extend beyond the domestic season, with Australia firmly in Eustace's sights. "I don't know where or when in Australia, but that certainly is on the cards towards the end of this year or the beginning of next depending on whether we're going to Victoria or Sydney, I'd suspect," the trainer revealed.
Meanwhile, Time For Sandals is being primed for the Commonwealth Cup following her narrow defeat in the Gr.3 Prix Texanita at Chantilly. The Sands Of Mali filly's consistent record - never finishing outside the places in five starts - has bolstered Eustace's confidence.
"She ran super. I felt probably if he'd ridden her before, he (Mickael Barzalona) might just have held on to her for a fraction longer, but it was a big run," Eustace assessed.
The trainer acknowledges the competition is heating up, particularly after Ger Lyons' Babouche impressed at Naas. "Until Naas (on Sunday) I didn't think any of the Commonwealth Cup horses had put in a real wow performance, but I thought Ger Lyons' filly (Babouche) was very impressive. But with that in mind I thought we were perfectly entitled to have a go at that, so at the moment she'll head to the Commonwealth Cup."
Divine Comedy faces a different challenge, with Eustace leaning towards the Ascot Stakes rather than the prestigious Gold Cup. The mare's position in the handicapping hierarchy has influenced the trainer's thinking.
"I doubt she'll run in the Gold Cup. I thought more likely the Ascot Stakes," Eustace confirmed. "She picked up a bit of black type the start of this year and the races are only going to get harder, she's sort of right in the middle of top-weights in handicaps and probably not quite good enough in genuine sort of Cup races, so we'll see."
Ground conditions remain a key consideration for Divine Comedy, with Eustace admitting his preference for softer surfaces. "She's obviously got that entry. We'll keep it just in case, but the Ascot Stakes is preferable at the moment. We took a chance on quicker ground this year, but ideally she wants a bit of cut in the ground."