Golden Buddy is about to go back to British turf as Wesley Ward hopes he can lead the American contingent at Royal Ascot, continue to exist Sky Sports activities Racing.
The four-year-old has gained already this season, taking the Grade Two Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland by means of an excellent 4 and three-quarter lengths on April 9.
The efficiency has left Ward anticipating giant issues from the sprinter when he joins a workforce of horses for the teacher’s common pilgrimage to the Royal assembly in June.
“Golden Buddy is doing nice, he in reality is. I’ve been making a song this horse’s praises for a few years now and the one factor he hasn’t carried out but is win to your patch. Expectantly, he can get it carried out!” Ward stated of the King’s Stand Stakes entrant.
“It used to be an impressive efficiency from him within the Shakertown – but it surely used to be a comeback and I in reality suppose his subsequent run goes to be one thing particular. He’s a as soon as in an entire life horse – without a doubt the most productive I’ve ever had – and I feel he’ll stamp that along with his efficiency at Ascot if he runs like I’m anticipating him to.
“Bodily, he’s an incredible specimen now and mentally he’s in reality getting into his personal. I’m in order that excited to get him again over there.”
Every other Ward runner set to move to Berkshire in summer time is Platinum Jubilee contender Campanelle, two times a Royal assembly winner having landed the Queen Mary in 2020 and final yr’s Commonwealth Cup, albeit awarded the latter race within the stewards’ room.
Wesley Ward (proper) profitable one among his 12 Royal Ascot races
“Barbara Banke (proprietor) and her workforce are so excited to get Campanelle again over there. She had a robust efficiency on her comeback win at Keeneland the opposite day. Should you watch that race towards one of the quickest fillies within the nation, what she did used to be lovely spectacular,” stated Ward.
“Between her and Golden Buddy, I feel we’re moving into with some giant probabilities. They’re operating in races that I’ve gained prior to and I in reality really feel this pair are getting into their respective races as excellent, if now not higher, than my earlier winners.”
Ward has loved 12 winners on the Royal assembly, 8 of whom had been juveniles, and the teacher is hopeful that he’ll be well-represented in two-year-old contests once more this yr.
“We’ve got our first grass maidens for two-year-olds in america at Keeneland this week,” he stated.
“Then there are maidens at Churchill Downs and Belmont Park as effectively. I will be able to have runners throughout the ones races and the way they get on will decide who travels.”
Every other States-based instructor eyeing Ascot is Christophe Clement, who used to be a handful of entries made for his strong stars.
Pizza Bianca, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, has thrown her hat within the Coronation Stakes ring, whilst Slipstream, Derrynane and Giant Invasion are all pencilled in for the Commonwealth Cup.
“All choices are open for Pizza Bianca after her 2nd at Aqueduct final weekend. I’m but to have a dialogue with the landlord and suspect we will be able to decide within the subsequent two or 3 weeks,” stated Clement.
“We’ve got an ideal programme right here now for three-year-old fillies at the grass, particularly the New York Triple Crown. I’m more than pleased to stay her right here for that but when the landlord desires to visit Ascot, then I’m more than pleased to do this as effectively if we expect she will likely be aggressive.
“There’s some other stakes race in 4 weeks at Pimlico that she may opt for after which from there you’ll cross to Ascot. The filly will let us know what she desires to do however these days all choices are large open.”
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes may have a contender from Japan as instructor Hideaki Fujiwara has the race in thoughts for his Dubai Sheema Vintage hero Shahryar.
Twilight Gleaming wins on the Breeders’ Cup
“This can be a nice honour for me to have a runner at Royal Ascot within the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee yr,” he stated.
“I mentioned with the landlord (Sunday Racing Co Ltd) about long term plans after Shahryar gained the Dubai Sheema Vintage and we agreed that the following goal for Shahryar should be the races with the best profile on the planet.
“I consider the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the best spot for the pony.”
Chris Waller has made entries for most sensible Australian sprinters Nature Strip and House Affairs, with each and every horse to start with engaged within the Platinum Jubilee and the King’s Stand.
Charlie Duckworth, Waller’s assistant instructor and racing supervisor, stated: “We’ve got nominated each Nature Strip and House Affairs for the King’s Stand Stakes and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes.
“That is to stay our choices open as anything else can occur with horses however we will have to have a thrilling Royal Assembly, this is evidently.
“It’s phenomenally thrilling for Chris to be entrusted within the coaching of 1 champion sprinter, however to have two champions in the similar yr is solely improbable.
“Then to be able to trip to Royal Ascot, particularly within the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee yr, makes it all of the extra particular.”
