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| Staff Writer |
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West Acre is being readied for a Royal Ascot assault that could propel him towards the Breeders' Cup later this year. The George Scott-trained 3YO has been earmarked for the King Charles III Stakes following his encouraging Dubai campaign.
The speedy colt's winter sojourn proved profitable, with victories at Group Two and Group Three level demonstrating his progressive nature. His subsequent disappointing effort in the Al Quoz Sprint has done little to dampen connections' enthusiasm for his Royal meeting target.
Scott's charge remains relatively unexposed in the sprinting division, having started his racing career later than most due to early setbacks. The trainer reflected on his development, noting how the colt had grown in confidence through the grades during his Middle East stint.
"His racing career started late, because of an issue that he picked up as a young horse. As he went through the grades you could see him growing in confidence," Scott explained. "He won the Blue Point really impressively; he'd probably had a harder race than we anticipated that day."
The handler is particularly optimistic about conditions suiting his charge, with fast ground and a strong pace expected to play to West Acre's strengths. "Fast ground, strong pace, the track should really suit him. The weather looks like it is going to be dry next week, so we'd like a nice fast track to get him started back here on."
The Ascot assignment represents more than just a domestic comeback, serving as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Scott has made no secret of his American ambitions for the Michael Blencowe-owned runner.
Drawing on previous experience with James Garfield, who competed at the Breeders' Cup under Frankie Dettori, Scott expressed his eagerness to return to the international stage. "It didn't really get much better than that at the time. It certainly gave me the appetite to want to come back. So West Acre's season we'll see how it all pans out, but the plan is to end up at Del Mar with him."
Having broken his Royal Ascot duck last season with Isle Of Jura in the Hardwicke Stakes, Scott is hoping to build on that breakthrough moment. The trainer acknowledged the significance of Royal meeting success in establishing a stable's reputation.
"We felt it was a big moment. You're instantly recognisable as a stable when you have success there. It's part of the growth as a young stable that you really need," he reflected. "We've got a team of horses going there this year. If we have a clear week with them in the build-up, we hope something might happen."