By Alan Carasso
Zac Spirit (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}), who cemented his position as the top sprinter in Singapore by winning the Lion City Cup for the second time in three years Apr. 24 (video), will be programmed for a start in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket. Owner Andy Wong returned from an overseas trip last week and gave his stamp of approval Friday.
“I'm glad to say Andy is happy to go,” commented trainer Cliff Brown. “I entered Zac first, but all this while I never really had a chance to talk to him, and we didn't know if we were going or not. But Andy came back to Singapore this week and we had a good chat about the trip and he's very excited with the idea. Like me, he agrees there are no races for him here. We could have looked at Ascot, either the [G1] King's Stand (1000m) or the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. (1200m), but I think Newmarket will suit him better. I know it won't be cheap, but we're definitely going and he'll make the field.”
Brown said that Zac Spirit, the champion sprinter of 2014, has come out of his Lion City success in good order and could have one run at home before heading to England. In the Lion City Cup, Zac Spirit beat Emperor Max (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who was a respectable seventh to Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in last year's G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint.
“I may or may not give him one run in a Kranji Stakes A race over 1200m on June 5,” he said. “He had a quiet 10 days after the Lion City Cup, but he is back in training now. He will probably have his first gallop in two weeks' time, it's all good.”
Brown added that there is a chance Zac Spirit could remain in Europe for an extra month, with a race like the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville a possible option.
While a British invasion is on for Zac Spirit, trainer Michael Clements has announced that Kiwi Karma (NZ) (Fast 'n' Famous {Aus}) will not travel to Royal Ascot, where she was nominated for the G1 King's Stand S. June 16.
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