Coronation Cup on agenda for Vazirabad

Vazirabad is looking to emerge as a Series star this season. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

Alain de Royer-Dupre is eyeing a crack at the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 4 with stable star Vazirabad.

The four-year-old ended last season with five successive wins, culminating in a victory in the Group One Prix Royal-Oak at Saint Cloud over nearly two miles in October, and picked up from where he left off with a taking success in the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup over two miles at Meydan last month.

The Coronation Cup, the first race in the Middle Distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series, would mean dropping the grey half a mile in distance but Royer-Dupre is unperturbed.

“The drop back in trip is not a problem because the racetrack at Epsom is more demanding than Meydan,” he said. “Meydan is flat and the straight is not to so long. I think Epsom will be OK for him.

“Normally, he would have to go for a race like the Investec Coronation Cup, but it will depend on the quality of the race and how he is nearer the time.”

The June 4 feature, which carries £400,000 in prize money, has attracted 27 other entries, including Postponed and Jack Hobbs.

Postponed is unbeaten in two starts since joining Roger Varian, gaining an impressive triumph in the Group One Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on his latest start.

Varian has indicated that the Coronation Cup is likely to be his next assignment.

Simple Verse and Arabian Queen, both successful in the QIPCO British Champions Series, have also been given entries, while Aidan O’Brien’s four possibles include Found and Highland Reel.