English/Ire
Aussie sprinters look set for a global challenge
Tentyris and Joliestar could be Royal Ascot-bound after their stunning comeback wins last Saturday.
Godolphin colt Tentyris produced a breathtaking last-to-first surge to win the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington while the Chris Waller-trained Joliestar was brilliant first-up in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Nick Smith, Royal Ascot's Director of Racing and Public Affairs, who watched both wins live from Saudi Arabia where he attended the Asian Racing Conference and Saudi Cup, said Tentyris and Joliestar are the right type of sprinters for England's prestigious racing carnival in June.
"Tentyris was a huge win,'' Smith told Racing And Sports at Riyadh's King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
"He came through with flying colours, he's a very consistent sprinter, and clearly he has trained on beautifully from last year's performances. Hopefully we will see him this year in Europe.''
Smith missed his first Lightning Stakes in about 20 years but will be in Sydney for the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 4, Day One of The Championships, to continue his equine recruitment drive for Royal Ascot.
"The TJ (Smith Stakes) is obviously pivotal for those horses that may or may not come over,'' he said.
One of the likely TJ Smith runners is Joliestar with Smith revealing connections are keen to bring their mare to Royal Ascot.
"There is a firm plan to take her to Royal Ascot,'' Smith said.
"She looked absolutely fantastic and did everything asked of her (in the Expressway).
"They are both really exciting (sprinters) and to have that kind of interest this early is great news.''
Smith also revealed 2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, is very much in the mix for Royal Ascot.
Waterhouse told this writer back in August the decision was made to miss the spring carnival with Lady Of Camelot to concentrate on getting the mare ready for her international campaign.
"The connections are very keen to bring Lady Of Camelot over for Royal Ascot,'' Smith said. "They have been very public about that.''
Autumn Glow maintained her unbeaten record winning the Group 2 Apollo Stakes last Saturday and although the wonder mare isn't being considered for an overseas campaign this year, there are plans to take her overseas for a career swansong at Royal Ascot in 2027.
"I watched her (Randwick win) this morning and she was just fantastic,'' Smith said.
"There is something really special about her. It is early days and we are very guilty in this game of getting ahead of ourselves but she is showing all the signs of a horse that is just a different horse.''
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