America's favourite horse, California Chrome, took most of the headlines at the weekend after his win the the Dubai World Cup at Meydan, but there were two earlier results that are set to have an exciting impact on the summer calendar at Royal Ascot.
Last year's King George winner, Postponed, will surely be primed for a repeat tilt at the summer showpiece following his effortless win in the G1 Sheema Classic. His trainer Roger Varian nominated all of Europe's big 1m4f races as targets.
Meanwhile, a trip to Royal Ascot is now firmly on the radar of the connections of Buffering, after the sprinter landed the seventh G1 victory of his career in the Al Quoz Sprint. Buffering is hugely popular with the racing public back in Australia, all of whom will be excited by the prospect of the electrifying 8yo flying the flag at the Royal Meeting in June.
"Buffering's connections were keen on Royal Ascot back in the winter and it's tremendous to have them back in the picture now," said Nick Smith, Ascot's director of international racing.
"There is a a G1 sprint in Hong Kong on May 1 and Buffering could now be one of several horses flying over to Britain after that, along with Chautauqua and Mongolian Saturday.
"Also, [Hong Kong-based sprinter] Not Listenin'tome got himself in the wrong position on the track and is better than his eighth-placed finish in the same race. I'll be following up on the Hong Kong horses, too."
Japanese raider Real Steel provided jockey Ryan Moore with G1 success in the Dubai Turf and trainer Yoshito Yahagi stated afterwards he hopes to bring him over to the Royal Meeting for a crack at the Queen Anne or the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
On the whole, the potential international element to Royal Ascot week is really coming together.
"America's Breeders Cup Mile winner, Tepin, is on course for the Queen Anne, where she could clash with ex-Aussie star Vancouver and Solow," says Smith.
"A Shin Hikari is confirmed for the Prince of Wales's stakes and there are lots of other Aussies in the mix, such as Japonisme, Press Statement, The Quarterback and Exosphere."
It's a shame we have two-and-a-half months to wait…
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