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18.
Choisir Breezes Towards UK Debut
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16/6/2003 |
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Australian sprinter Choisir has breezed through his final fast gallop in
preparation for his UK debut at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Choisir delighted trainer Paul Perry when he worked on the famous Limekilns
gallop at Newmarket, putting the seal on his chances of racing twice at the
showcase carnival of UK racing.
Choisir will take on Tuesday’s G2 King’s Stand Stakes over the straight five
furlongs and also holds an entry for the G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (6f.) on the
final day of the five-day Royal Ascot festival next Saturday.
Choisir was closely watched by track observers on Friday morning when he worked
solo over five furlongs, cantering over his first two furlongs before sprinting
up his last three with his Australian track rider Lyle Weaver in the saddle.
Perry told the UK Racing Post that everything was going to plan with the Group
One winner.
“We are pleased with the way the horse is building up to Ascot,” Perry said.
“He doesn’t do as much when he’s working on his own and is quite a lazy
worker and is better with a lead horse, but he has shown us he’s in good form
going into the race.”
Choisir will be having his first start outside Australia and will be the first
Australian-trained sprinter to race at Royal Ascot.
However Perry has considerable experience in preparing horses for overseas
races, having ventured to Dubai, Hong Kong and New Zealand with his former top
class sprinters Dantelah, Bezeal Bay and Notoire.
He has also previously attended Royal Ascot as a spectator and holds no
allusions over what is required to win this week.
"Everyone the world over recognises how big Royal Ascot is, it's a thrill
to have a horse here,” he said.
Choisir, to be ridden by Irish star John Murtagh, is at a weight disadvantage as
he is an Australian-bred three-year-old having to carry the weight of a northern
hemisphere four-year-old.
He is one of only two horses in the field, to be finalised from 28 horses who
remained at the five-day stage, who will carry the topweight of 9.7 (60.5kg)
The opposition includes Hong Kong’s Firebolt apart from the cream of
England’s sprinting talent.
Firebolt, a Group Three winner in England before he was sold to Hong Kong last
year, will be ridden by Weichong Marwing.
Trainer Ivan Allan had planned to use Frankie Dettori but he is required for the
Godolphin filly Romantic Liaison, a winner at Royal Ascot last year as a
two-year-old in the G3 Queen Mary Stakes.
Champion US jockey Gary Stevens, who has ridden successfully at previous Royal
Ascot festivals, will ride the Gerard Butler-trained Elusive City in the King's
Stand Stakes.
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