Beaten California Chrome may race Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot

Peter Ward 06:15 30/03/2015
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  • Headed to the UK: California Chrome.

    California Chrome, second in Saturday’s Dubai World Cup, is set to travel to the UK, not back to America, where he will be based in Newmarket, housed in the yard of Rae Guest.

    The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot is his likely main target, although he could run in Newbury’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes before that.

    His trainer, Art Sherman, will be travelling ‘periodically’ to England before spending more time there to supervise final preparations.

    His co-owner, Perry Martin, explained: “We were grateful for the chance to race in Dubai and are equally delighted to have this Royal Ascot opportunity. We are very much looking forward to the experience.”

    The surprise move goes against Sherman’s initial intention to give California Chrome a break following his exploits in Dubai.

    “I was looking forward to giving him a rest,” Sherman said. “I’m not sure everyone realises that this is going to be a tired horse. That was a hard race on him.”

    On California Chrome’s impending trip to Britain, Sherman added: “I feel like I’ve lost a friend. “I’m going to miss looking down the shed row and seeing the horse in his stall. It’s going to be hard on him, too. I hope it works out for the horse.”

    A four-year-old, Chrome won his only previous start on turf, in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby in late November last year. Assuming he makes his Royal Ascot date, he could well clash with Solow and The Grey Gatsby, first and second in Saturday’s Group 1 Dubai Turf.

    With Al Quoz Sprint winner Sole Power set to seek a third win in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal Meeting, it appears he may well clash again with Peniaphobia and Amber Sky, second and third respectively in Saturday’s 1,000m turf dash.

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