Appleby eyeing $ 13m race after impressive King’s Stand win Pointed look at Everest
G O D O L P H I N ’ S E n g l i s h trainer Charlie Appleby has flagged a possible start for Blue Point in the $ 13 million The Everest after an impressive win in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day at Royal Ascot.
Blue Point powered past the highly rated Battaash to win the feature sprint and immediately came into the frame for The Everest, run at Royal Randwick on October 13.
“A lot have been mooted for The Everest which was obviously run for the first time last year and is a fantastic race, so it’s definitely on our radar,’’ Appleby told Sky Racing’s Lizzie Jelfs at Royal Ascot.
“We’ve got a few more months to cover yet but it’s there on our radar. We’ll enjoy today and then look to the future.
“I’ll let the dust settle and over the course of the next week or two will be in conversation with His Royal Highness ( Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum). We’ll map out what we feel is right for the horse.’’
Blue Point, who scored his sixth win from just 13 starts and his first at Group 1 level in the King’s Stand Stakes, has been installed at $ 51 with TAB Fixed Odds for The Everest behind favourite Trapeze Artist ($ 4.50).
If Blue Point is confirmed as an Everest starter, his odds will shorten considerably.
America’s brilliant mare Lady Aurelia started favourite for the King’s Stand but tired to run seventh, leaving a start in The Everest in jeopardy.
Appleby is no stranger to big race success in Australian, having prepared Polarisation to win the 2017 Sydney Cup while his stayers have been competitive during the last two Melbourne Cup vals.
“I’ve never lost faith in this horse. From his two- year- old days he showed such supreme natural speed,’’ Appleby said.
“He is becoming more of a travelled horse now.
“He has campaigned Europe, Dubai and went Hong Kong.
“He has come back to Europe again so he is gaining experience that will put him in good stead for a race like The Everest.”
Godolphin also has England’s top sprinter, the Clive Cox- trained Harry Angel, ready to put his The Everest Carni- in to credentials on the line against Australian duo Redkirk Warrior and Merchant Navy in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday night.
Harry Angel is the $ 4 favourite ahead of Merchant Navy, now trained by Irish genius Aidan O’Brien at $ 4.50, with Redkirk Warrior at $ 5.
Blue Point is next in betting at $ 11 but is unlikely to back up in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Sky Racing’s coverage of Royal Ascot continues on Channel 528 tonight with the first race scheduled for 11.30pm.