By Daithi Harvey
Group 1 winner Merchant Navy (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) has Royal Ascot on his agenda assuming he comes through his weekend assignment in the G1 Newmarket H. The Aaron Purcell-trained colt will likely target the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. on the final day of Royal Ascot in June, but the trainer is hopeful the colt can add to his Group 1 tally in the 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday.
“I think he's spot on,” Purcell told Racing.com. “He galloped this morning at Sandown and it's probably the best he's galloped this preparation. He looks terrific and his weight's great.”
Merchant Navy already staked his claim as a future stallion when winning the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington last November, a victory that lead to the colt being purchased by Coolmore Stud and leased back to his current ownership group to continue his racing career. A prominent display on Saturday will see Purcell planning a raid on the English race that Australia last plundered with Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) in 2012.
“If he wins or runs well, I'm sure the Ascot trip will be spoken about and it's definitely on the cards,” Purcell confirmed.
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