Shamexpress is on track to represent Australia in the Group 1 King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot this Tuesday.
The O’Reilly colt will be having his first start since winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March.
Shamexpress (outside) will run in Tuesday's King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Picture by Sarah Ebbett.
Shamexpress has won three of his 10 race starts and has earned more than $780,000 in prize money during his horse racing career.
The three-year-old will take part in his final piece of training in England today under the watchful eye of trainer Danny O’Brien.
O’Brien is confident that Shamexpress is perfectly primed for Tuesday’s prestigious King Stand Stakes.
“I think Shamexpress is coming here at the right time of his career,” O’Brien said.
“He is nowhere near as seasoned as some of the Australian horses who have run at Royal Ascot such as Takeover Target and Black Caviar because he is only a three-year-old.
“He’s a horse in a really good space and I think he is still improving – on an upward spiral. I expect him to show that on Tuesday and his next few runs should be the best of his career.”
The King Stand Stakes has always proven successful for Australian sprinters, with Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) all winning the race in recent times.
O’Brien believes that Shamexpress is more than capable of joining his compatriots and claiming the win next week.
While the King Stand Stakes will mark Shamexpress’ first appearance since arriving in Great Britain, O’Brien insists that he will be in top form for the race.
“He took the trip really well which is obviously the big thing. It is a long time travelling but he seemed to handle it,” he said.
“Importantly, he is enjoying Newmarket – in the week he has been here, he has settled particularly well into his surroundings. He is a happy colt and seems to be very relaxed. All good so far.
“He has not done any fast work yet – he left Australia very fit so the gallop should put him spot on for Tuesday.”
