Trainer Charlie Appleby has his front line sprinter Blue Point in great shape to record back to back wins in the Group 1 £500,000 King’s Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) on Day One of the 2019 Royal Ascot Carnival in England.

Gold Coast trained mare Houtzen, above, is set to line up in the 2019 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in England. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Blue Point was able to carry the Godolphin royal blue colours to victory last year over Charles Hills trained Battaash and Michael Dods’ Mabs Cross and that pair will be lining up again against  Blue Point in this year’s sprint down the famous Royal Ascot straight course.

Blue Point has raced five times since his 2018 King’s Stand Stakes victory for three wins in Dubai, his most recent in the Group 1 US$2m Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan in Dubai in March.

“Blue Point did nothing but thrive in Dubai over the winter, with the highlight being his victory in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup Night,” Appleby said.

“We have always felt that the stiff five furlongs at Ascot is his best trip and he seems to bring his A game to the course.

“It looks like it is going to be a great race and another strong renewal, but we are very happy with Blue Point.

“I think he has matured into a proper sprinter over the winter and the results out in Meydan have shown that.

“In an ideal world, the sounder the surface the better for Blue Point, but he has won on good to soft at Ascot in the past and should be fine on the forecast ground.”

James Doyle replaces the sidelined William Buick on Blue Point has drawn barrier one in the twelve horse King’s Stand Stakes field.

Betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the King’s Stand Stakes has Blue Point as the second pick at $3.80 behind the Battaash who is currently the $3 favourite.