Mongolian Saturday in trim for King’s Stand

Acapulco could run in two QIPCO British Champions Series races at Royal Ascot. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Trainer Enebish Ganbat feels Mongolian Saturday has the necessary speed to make his presence felt in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Mongolian Saturday won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint over five and a half furlongs at Keeneland in late October but has since suffered two defeats over six furlongs in Hong Kong.

“We are very happy,” said the Mongolian-born, American-based trainer, ahead of the the QIPCO British Champions Series sprint.

“It was a long-term dream to come to England to run our horse and now that dream is really happening. We are very happy to be running at the home of the thoroughbred horse.

“Winning the Breeders’ Cup was of course a very special day as we wanted to win the race and we did. Usually the horse is very nervous over shipping, but now he is OK.

“We did a breeze with him and it seems he is very fast and the King’s Stand for him is his first race.

“In Hong Kong for his latest race, in my opinion, we did everything good except our normal jockey [Florent Geroux] could not come and ride him.”

Meanwhile, Acapulco, the American filly who lit up Royal Ascot last year, may run in two QIPCO British Champions Series races at next week’s big meeting.

Trainer Wesley Ward is toying with running last year’s breathtaking Queen Mary winner in the King’s Stand plus the Commonwealth Cup on Friday.

“I will talk it over with [her owner] Coolmore and we will make a decision in a day or two. There is a possibility for both races.”

The daughter of Scat Daddy followed up her Queen Mary win by finishing second in the Nunthorpe at York, in the process becoming a rare juvenile to contest a Series race.

Ward added that Ryan Moore would ride Acapulco at Ascot.