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| Royal Ascot News 2012 |
Ortensia Could Double Up in Royal Ascot Sprints
17/06/12
Trainer Paul Messara admits there is a chance that the mare Ortensia could line up in two Ascot races this week, both the King's Stand Stakes on Tuesday and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes four days later.
The Australian speedball is among 23 declarations for Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes and is currently favourite for the 5 furlong event.
Messara said, "We had trouble travelling Alverta when we came over a couple of years ago so we decided to bring Ortensia here as early as we could this time. That way if there were any problems we could get her settled. She travelled brilliantly from Dubai and is in top order. Even with this weather, she has managed to keep a pretty good coat.
"She was the best she had been before Dubai and I feel she is coming into this race in the same sort of form.
"The ground is a concern, she has mixed form on rain-affected tracks and is better on top of the ground. She has a devastating turn of foot on a quick surface.
"If we were running on a drier track I'd be confident but four or five of the horses in the betting also prefer it firm so it could be an open race. I'd prefer this weather to blow away. I've had a really good look at the form and I think we have most of them covered. If we got good ground, I'd assess her chance very well.
"She is likely to run in blinkers on Tuesday and we look at how she is going into a race before deciding if she will wear them. She's very relaxed going into this so a little focus will help her.
"I will always put the horse's welfare first but if she came through the race fine and the weather was fine then I'd consider running her on Saturday as well. But Black Caviar is the best we have ever seen in the sprinting division.
"I think a stiff five at Ascot would be perfect, although six furlongs in the Darley July Cup would be her limit
"This is a special week and we're thrilled to be here to compete, it's the championship of racing around the world."
GOING
The ground is currently Good to Soft on the Straight Course, Good to Soft, Soft in places on the Round Course. There is an unsettled forecast for the end of the week with some potential improvement for next week, although it is too early to be definitive. Racing is not under any threat at this stage and we would be confident that there will be no issues unless there is a significant change in the forecast.
