Redkirk Warrior settles in ahead of Royal Ascot run

Redkirk Warrior, left, in action in Hong Kong. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Star Australian sprinter Redkirk Warrior arrived in Newmarket on Thursday night ahead of his run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The seven-year-old is no stranger to Headquarters, having started his career with William Haggas before switching first to Hong Kong and then on to the care of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig, who form the Lindsay Park Racing team.

Redkirk Warrior has already won two Flemington Group Ones races this year and is a general 13-2 to win the six-furlong showpiece, one of eight races that fall under the QIPCO British Champions Series umbrella at the Royal Meeting.

He s lodging with Jane Chapple-Hyam and has taken up residence in the box that housed Black Caviar ahead of her Royal Ascot victory in 2012.

“He landed at Heathrow at about 7.45 last night and he got on the road between 9.30 and 10pm, arriving here at 11.30.

“The horse is a professional and the trip didn’t faze him, he’s been over here with William Haggas and he’s done the trip in reverse,” said Ed Veale, of the International Racing Bureau, which is overseeing Redkirk Warrior’s stay. “He could not have looked more relaxed.

He added: “There was a problem with the power which meant they couldn’t take the container off with all his feed and equipment in the cargo hold.

“Hopefully it should all be here today. The horse has come with a bag of food which is enough to last him until that arrives- it’s not so much of a problem as an inconvenience.”

Harry Angel, winner of the Darley July Cup and 32Red Sprint Cup last year, is the 3-1 favourite.

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