Trainer Ciaron Maher has suggested that his Caulfield Cup winner Jameka will hopefully be aimed at Royal Ascot and then the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO) this summer.
The prolific mare will first run in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes in Australia on Saturday , over 7f, before a number of other key races between now and the British summer. However, if all goes to plan it will be Royal Ascot and a European adventure for the Jameka team.
"We've looked into racing at Royal Ascot, trying to have her right for the King George," Maher told racing.com.
"There's a vast range of races over there [in Europe] in her best-distance range.
"The Arc's at Chantilly, but whether she's up to that or not, we'll have to see how her form is, and whether she even goes or not.
"She may even stay here for the spring, and maybe the Vase in Hong Kong, so there's plenty of options for her.
"It [travel] is something we've always wanted to do. The connections are on board. Everything would have to be right to take her," he added.
"You want to go over there to be competitive; you don't just want to go over there just to compete."
The Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, won in 2016 by Her Majesty The Queen’s horse Dartmouth, could be the ideal prep for a tilt at the King George, however Maher has plenty of options come June.
Ascot’s Director of Racing and Communications Nick Smith is heading to Melbourne next week and will discuss plans for Jameka’s globetrotting summer with the team.
“I've arranged to meet him (Maher) in Melbourne next week and will be suggesting he looks at the Hardwicke Stakes as that's a no penalty Group Two over the King George course and distance (the Caulfield Cup trip),” Nick Smith said.
“But in Australia, it is more common to prep for the big target by going up in trip more gradually so the Prince of Wales's Stakes may come into play, and even the Queen Anne Stakes. The CF Orr Stakes is 7f and that is where she is starting on Saturday.”
Tickets for Royal Ascot 2017 are on sale now from £32. Find out more.
