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| Staff Writer |
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Kerdos, after a stunning victory in the Temple Stakes at Haydock, is now set to grace the tracks of Royal Ascot, adding another chapter to a heartwarming family story. Alongside Kerdos, trainer Ed Bethell's confidence in Regional's potential for the King Charles III Stakes, and Harry Eustace's contemplation of the Wolferton Stakes for Docklands.
Clive Cox was overjoyed by Kerdos' triumph in the Temple Stakes at Haydock, marking his third victory in the Group Two in this heartwarming family story. Cox and owner Alan Spence had previously clinched the Temple title twice with Profitable in 2016 and Priceless the following year. Kerdos, jointly owned by Spence and John Connolly, is sired by Profitable and born to a mare whose dam is a half-sister to Priceless.
“I was really pleased but it was no surprise, we always believed he could perform at this level, especially after the way he won the Beverley Bullet last year,” said Cox.
“He wasn’t beaten far in the Abbaye last season and I’m just delighted that he’s hit his stride at this time of year, with some very nice races to get excited about.
“What nobody picked up on on Saturday was his dam is out of a half-sister to Priceless and he’s by Profitable, so he really is the glue of our previous Temple winners, which was very nice.
“Most definitely it will be the King Charles III (Stakes at Royal Ascot) now and we’ll sleep easy knowing he has won on both types of ground, which is always a relief.
Trainer Ed Bethell is confident that Regional is well-suited for the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, following the horse's impressive performance at the Curragh last Saturday.
Although Regional, a Group One winner in last season’s Sprint Cup at Haydock, was initially prepared for the Temple Stakes at Merseyside, a change of plan was prompted by the soft ground conditions. Instead, Regional competed in the Gr.2 Greenlands Stakes on Irish 2,000 Guineas day, where he ran a commendable race, leading for much of the way before being overtaken by Mitbaahy, another British contender.
Despite the defeat, Bethell expressed great pride in Regional's performance and is optimistic about the horse's prospects at Ascot next month.
“He ran really well, delighted with him,” said the North Yorkshire-based trainer. “A stiff six (furlongs) just found him out and all roads lead to the King Charles at Royal Ascot. Hopefully we’ll get good, fast ground there and I’m really excited about his chance over five furlongs on that track.
“The whole idea was to go to the Temple, but the ground went against us at Haydock, so we went to the Curragh for the ground. A stiff six would never have been his cup of tea, but a stiff five at Ascot will be tailor-made for him.
“It’s what we all do it for, to have chances going down there, let alone a live one. To have runners at Royal Ascot is what we all do it for and we’re really excited, fingers crossed he’ll get there.”
Harry Eustace is considering moving Docklands up to 10 furlongs at Royal Ascot instead of participating in the Queen Anne Stakes. Last season's Royal Hunt Cup winner, Docklands finished third in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day despite a 10lb higher mark.
This season, he narrowly missed victory in two Listed races over a mile, including one in France. Eustace believes there may be more value in running Docklands in the Wolferton Stakes over a mile and a quarter rather than aiming for the Queen Anne.
“He ran super. Obviously it is quite frustrating as we feel like he should have won. I haven’t decided where he goes yet,” said Eustace.
“I’ve always wanted to try the Wolferton, but Hayley (Turner) wasn’t so sure after France about the 10 furlongs, but I feel like he had to make a big effort on tough ground to get to the winner.
“If he was smuggled into it over a mile and a quarter, which you could do on the sharp, round track at Ascot, he’s then got that turn of foot.
“I would rather do that but Audience winning the Lockinge has thrown the Queen Anne wide open. I just feel like he has to have won a Listed race to go for a Group One but we’ll see, the owners (OTI Racing) are very sporting.”