American challengers primed for Royal Ascot invasion

Lady Aurelia and Frankie Dettori winning the Queen Mary Stakes Royal Ascot last year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Entries for the eight Group One races staged at Royal Ascot, which are all part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, include a string of exciting possibles trained in America.

Chief among them is the Wesley Ward-trained Lady Aurelia, who is among 53 engaged in the King’s Stand Stakes on June 20, and 63 in the Commonwealth Cup, over an extra furlong three days later.

Ward, who has saddled seven winners at the royal meeting, said on Wednesday: “Lady Aurelia is doing fantastic. She had a real good rest after her unfortunate defeat at Newmarket at the end of last season and ran a very exciting comeback race at Keeneland. I am excited to get back over to Royal Ascot with her.

“We are leaning towards the King’s Stand Stakes, as she is most effective at five furlongs. She ran lights out the other day in her race at Keeneland.

“I also have the colt Bound For Nowhere who is nominated for the Commonwealth Cup – he is undefeated and I am excited about him.”

The Queen Anne Stakes has attracted 33 entries, including Series stars such as Minding and Galileo Gold.

American Patriot, trained by Todd Pletcher, who put up a career-best effort last time out when winning the Grade 1 Maker’s 46 Mile on turf at Keeneland on April 14, and three-time Grade 1 scorer Miss Temple City (Graham Motion), could represent America.

There are 46 entries for the St James’s Palace Stakes, and 41 for the £750,000 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, headed by Almanzor, brilliant winner of the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot in October on QIPCO British Champions Day.

The 2016 Gold Cup winner Order Of St George heads 48 entries for the Gold Cup. Four other Series winners – Harbour Law, Simple Verse, Sheikhzayedroad and Quest For More are also in.

Mark Casse, who struck with star mare Tepin in last year’s Queen Anne Stakes, is eyeing another Royal Ascot success with La Coronel in the Coronation Stakes.

Casse said: “La Coronel is doing great and we currently plan on running her against colts on Derby Day at Churchill Downs in the American Turf. She will need to run well at Churchill in the American Turf and, if she does, there is a very good chance she will come to Royal Ascot.

“She enjoys a little give in the ground and is a very smart filly, I think she will handle Ascot fine. Tepin’s success at Ascot has definitely gave us more confidence and a better understanding of the English racing.”

The £600,000 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, on the final day of the meeting on June 24, could feature Long On Value, trained by Bill Mott in the USA.

“He has been nominated for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and it is very exciting as I have never been to Royal Ascot before,” Mott said. “We are excited just to be able to participate.”