The Niarchos Family's Flaxman Stables will be well represented at Royal Ascot, with Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on track for the G1 Prince of Wales's S., and 'TDN Rising Star' Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) set for the G3 Albany S.
Ulysses, a son of Oaks winner Light Shift (Kingmambo), showed the talent his pedigree promised with a first-up win in the G3 Gordon Richards S. over 10 furlongs on Apr. 28 for trainer Sir Michael Stoute.
“The Prince of Wales's is definitely the plan and all is well with him at the moment,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for Flaxman Stables, of the 4-year-old. “Sir Michael has indicated he is happy to stay over 10 furlongs for now, but he can do both if we need him to. We know he stays further, though. It was always the plan to go straight to Ascot. The Brigadier Gerard was looked at, but Sir Michael decided it would be better to keep him fresh.”
The Jessica Harrington-trained Alpha Centauri will look to extend her unbeaten record to three off a five-length win in the Listed Fillies' Sprint S. at Naas on May 21.
“She has a lovely stride. For a big filly, she is very well balanced,” said Cooper. “Jessica has stated she wouldn't want to run her on firm ground, but good ground would be fine.”
Flaxmans' silks will also be carried by Gilgamesh (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}) in the Britannia H.
“[Gilgamesh] started off at a low level but [trainer] George [Scott] has brought him along lovely and he's now four from five,” said Cooper. “Obviously this requires another step up, but he's going there at the top of his game.”
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