Sea Siren is currently preparing for her run in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at England’s Royal Ascot, however, her team have already voiced their concerns about the race.
The Fastnet Rock mare will be looking to reproduce the efforts of Black Caviar in last year’s Diamond Jubilee when she runs over 1,200 metres next Saturday.
Sea Siren is the only Australian horse in this year’s field and will be making her European debut after running 14 of her 15 previous race starts in her home country.
The mare has travelled once before, placing ninth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong last December.
Sea Siren’s most recent result was a second placing in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 at Doomben Racecourse on May 25, 2013.
Sea Siren will look to overcome a lengthy flight when she runs in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes next Saturday. Picture by Daniel Costello.
Bryce Heys, assistant to trainer John O’Shea, admitted that Sea Siren had a long flight over to England which is likely to have taken a big toll on the four-year-old.
“We have been here a week. It was a long time travelling with Sea Siren. She had to travel a bit in Australia – she flew from Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne before the flight to England,” Heys said.
“There is no doubt that took its toll but we have been very light on her since.”
Heys is hopeful that Sea Siren will be show her true ability in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes next weekend despite a less than perfect lead up to the race.
“Royal Ascot’s six furlongs is definitely testing and she is going to have to adapt to that. Hopefully, she will be ridden with some cover to utilise her turn of foot,” he said.
Her recent form has not been ideal as regards to coming to Royal Ascot. She had a long time off after Hong Kong last year and it has taken a bit to get her back. She is probably not far off where she was winning Group 1s last year.
“It is a daunting task at Royal Ascot but we have Ryan Moore in the saddle and he will ride her for the first time on Tuesday morning.
“We want to be drawn around the horses with the best chance in the race and she likes the ground fast.“
