Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett is hoping to be meeting King Charles III on Thursday, with Al Riffa likely to take his place in the Ascot Gold Cup.
The premier race of the Royal meeting is one of only two that the King presents the trophy for, and trainer Joseph O’Brien has told Lovett it’s the preference option for his stayer.
“We are looking at the Hardwicke Stakes on the final day as well, but Joseph feels there might be an opportunity in the Gold Cup, where there doesn’t seem to be a lot of speed,” Lovett said. “It might not be a staying test, and he could use his change-up speed if that is the case.
“We saw that at Longchamp where if he gets clear earlier he would have won.”
Al Riffa came out to Australia for the Melbourne Cup, finishing seventh, and has since been to Hong Kong and Dubai before his European return in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, where he was third in a blanket finish after only getting clear in the final furlong.
“He hasn’t won since the Irish St Leger last year, but he has disappointed us, so it is a good chance to have a shot at one of the biggest races over there,” Lovett said.
Australian Bloodstock will have a couple of other runners at Royal Ascot looking to add to their success with Royal Supremacy in Q22 on Saturday.
O’Brien-trained Defiantly will be their first runner in the Ascot Stakes on the first day of the meeting, with Perisher attempting to complete a hat-trick of wins on the final day.
“Defiantly has targeted this race and Joseph is very happy with him,” Lovett said. “He should run well, while Perisher is getting ready to come out to Australia in the spring and join Ciaron Maher.
“He has been in winning form, and if he can get a Royal Ascot win, we might look to qualify him for the Melbourne Cup.”
