Australian sprinter Coolangatta had a racecourse gallop at Ascot ahead of her run in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday of the Royal meeting.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained three-year-old filly has been stabled at Charlie Hills' yard in Lambourn for her visit to Royal Ascot, which is the same preparation enjoyed by Nature Trip when he won the Group 1 sprint in 2022.
Coolangatta made a winning reappearance in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington in February and the event has been a key form line ahead of the Royal Ascot showpiece with Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast, Black Caviar and Nature Strip all winning the Lightning before Ascot glory.
Speaking after the racecourse gallop, co-trainer Ciaron Maher said: "The idea was to bring Coolangatta here and have a look at the whole surrounds. We did a bit of paddock schooling and then had a nice look at the track. She stretched nicely to the line and James said she took quite a while to pull up. He was beaming about the work and it was everything I wanted to see. She has really thrived since being here – she is in the very quiet surrounds of Lambourn – and she was in need of a nice hit out to keep a lid on her.
"In the jump out [unofficial barrier trails in Australia] at Flemington, she ran her second fastest half-mile that she has ever run. I still cannot get my head around it, but I guess that is why we have the trackers and stuff on them, because trials can be deceiving. The track was quite damp and, although she ran well as a two-year-old on a damp track, there were a lot of good horses in that trial – but James said it was the weirdest jump out that he has ever been in. Hopefully, it was just that, because she has thrived since then.
"I suppose winning the Lightning Stakes down the straight at Flemington gives you some confidence about handling the track here. Straight track racing can be quite different to some of the tighter tracks at home like Moonee Valley, where she has won before. We have come here thinking that the track would not be a problem.
"Winning here would be huge. We have had a very good season at home and this would be the icing on the top should it come to fruition. In terms of international racing, the world seems to be getting smaller and we would be keen to come again if we have a horse good enough. Whether it is here, Hong Kong or elsewhere, there are plenty of places that we would like to explore."
Australian jockey James Mcdonald enjoyed three winners at the Royal Meeting last year including Nature Strip in the King's Stand Stakes. The New Zealand-born rider is looking forward to returning this year.
McDonald said: "Royal Ascot is one of the greatest weeks in racing. I definitely circle it every year and, if I am lucky enough to come here, then I am on the plane straightaway. With the racing and the whole atmosphere, it is one of the best carnivals in the world. It is hard to get rides at Royal Ascot but I should have maybe 11 or 12 rides over the week.
"Coolangatta handled the track beautifully. She ticked a lot of boxes and I was delighted the way she stretched and extended. I let her breeze through the line and she pulled up extremely well. She is a strong five-furlong horse and an extremely talented filly. She is a dual Group One winner who has beaten one of the best sprinters in Australia in I Wish I Win.
"Nature Strip was a champion racehorse but Coolangatta is getting there and I have no doubt she will run well on Tuesday. This morning has given me a lot of confidence."
