World Approval and Winx could meet at Royal Ascot

World Approval powers clear of his rivals in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Mark Casse has raised the possibility of World Approval running in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next year after the dashing grey was a brilliant winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar on Saturday night.

Casse memorably won the Queen Anne with the mare Tepin last year and World Approval may bid to follow suit after proving too strong for the likes of Lancaster Bomber (second), Suedois (fourth), Ribchester (fifth) and Roly Poly (eleventh).

“He would handle things as well as Tepin did over there, he’s doing the same things as she used to do so it’s something to sit down over a nice meal, maybe a baseball game, and talk about,” Casse said to Racing UK.

When asked about a trip to Royal Ascot owner/breeder Charlotte Weber said: “There’s never a never. He’s there to ride. He’s there to win.”

The Queen Anne is also a possibility for Australian wonder mare Winx.

Wuheida, runner-up to Roly Poly in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July, struck in the Filly & Mare Turf for Charlie Appleby at the expense of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Rhododendron.

“I can’t explain it, it means everything to me,” winning jockey William Buick said. “My feelings are ones of joy, as it is always tough coming here into the backyard of the Americans, and although I have been to a few Breeders’ Cups it is my first winner at one.”

Appleby said he was hopeful the daughter of Dubawi, who also won a Group One as a two-year-old, would stay in training next year.

He said: “Going forward I’m very hopeful she will be around. Obviously she is a very valuable filly now and we will talk to Sheikh Mohammed about that.”

O’Brien refused to blame Rhododendron’s draw in stall 14 for defeat, saying: “No, there wasn’t an advantage. She’s run very well and I’m delighted with that. There are no excuses.”

His Highland Reel, third in the Tuf, could potentially run again before retiring to stud. The trainer said: We will take him home now and see how he is and think about going to Hong Kong with him.”