David Nagle is hoping for soft ground at Royal Ascot so that he can run Maarek in the Wokingham Stakes.
The County Tipperary permit holder is eyeing the big six-furlong handicap at the Berkshire track on June 23 after he won a competitive 24-runner affair at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day.
The Royal Ascot dash could be the last handicap Maarek contests while he is in his present form.
“He’s gone up again after Newmarket and is now on 108,” said Nagle.
“The Wokingham is the obvious target for him, but we are very ground dependent. He has to have ease in the ground.
“We are running out of options for him. The Wokingham is the only handicap we can run him in now unless we ask him to carry 10st 1lb or 10st 2lb.
“We’ll have to step him up in class after that.”
Written by on May 18th, 2012. Have Your Say!. 
La Collina is set to try her luck in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 27 following her creditable effort in the Newmarket equivalent.
Trainer Kevin Prendergast was pleased with his charge’s performance in finishing fifth behind Homecoming Queen in the Qipco 1000 Guineas considering the ground was too soft for her.
Prendergast reports last year’s Phoenix Stakes winner to have come on for her first run since she filled third place behind Maybe in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last August.
“She’s come out of Newmarket very well and runs in the Irish Guineas on Sunday week,” said the County Kildare handler.
“We’ll just keep her ticking over. She’s in good shape and seems to have come out of the Guineas well.
“The ground was too soft for her for a start, but then again it was soft for them all.
“She likes fast ground and hopefully it’s supposed to be dry next week and we might get a good track.”
Written by on May 18th, 2012. Have Your Say!.
Bonfire is now the clear second favourite for next months Investec Derby after winning the key domestic trial, the Betfred Dante Stakes, at York.
On his seasonal debut he booked his place at Epsom to take on the hot favourite Camelot with a three quarters of a length win over Ektihaam.
Here’s reaction from trainer Andrew Balding
Written by on May 18th, 2012. Have Your Say!.
The world’s best racehorse, Frankel will make his eagerly anticipated seasonal reappearance in the Lockings Stakes at Newbury on saturday.
It’s over a mile, the distance at which the unbeaten colt, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, carried all before him in a series of spectacular victories last year.
Teddy Grimthorpe, Racing Manager to Prince Khalid Abdulla, is as excited as anyone about the ‘horse of a lifetime’ strutting his stuff again.
Written by on May 18th, 2012. Have Your Say!.
