Field and Beau to target Royal Ascot

Ascot’s Head of Communication and International Racing Nick Smith is hopeful leading Australian sprinters Deep Field (Aus) (Northern Meteo {Aus}) and Brazen Beau (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) will head for Royal Ascot this season and resume Australian participation at the meeting. Last season’s expected contender, Qatar Racing purchase Zoustar (Aus) (Northern Meteor {Aus}) suffered a ligament injury in his first piece of fast work in the UK and was frustratingly forced to head back home without lining up. 

The Ascot executive is in Flemington this week to identify potential candidates for the 2015 Royal meeting and commented, “It was unfortunate for all concerned that Zoustar suffered a career-ending injury after travelling to England last year so hopefully his trainer Chris Waller can set the record straight this year with Brazen Beau.” “It’s still early days but with interest from Brazen Beau and Deep Field, hopefully it’ll be back to normal with Australian representation in the feature sprints at Royal Ascot this year,” he added.“ 

Both horses start their 2015 campaign in the G1 Lightning S. Saturday, the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge which also includes the G1 King’s Stand S. and Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot. A $1 million bonus to the owners and trainer of any horse that wins a participating race in three individual countries is up for grabs, and still to be claimed in the challenge’s 10-year history.