Star New Zealand three year old Jimmy Choux looks set to take on the AJC Derby before taking on some of the world’s best milers in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot.
Trainer John Bary confirmed on Sky Sports Radio this morning that a Doncaster Mile start was now looking less likely, with the AJC Derby the preferred option.
“I said he wouldn’t go 2400m again, but we might have another look at it,” Bary told Andrew Bensley on Racing HQ.
“The quality of the Doncaster field looks very, very good.”
The AJC Derby will be run on April 9, with the Doncaster a week later.
Before the AJC Derby, Jimmy Choux will make his Sydney debut in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 26.
“He comes next Monday, he’ll be stabled out at Warwick Farm and the Rosehill Guineas will be the first cab off the rank,” Bary said.
However, the surprising aspect is the possibility of a run in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Ascot.
Won in recent years by the likes of Goldikova, Paco Boy, Haradasun, Dubai Destination and Cape Cross, it is the top race for milers at the time honoured carnival.
It is possible that the Queen Anne, rather than the King’s Stand Stakes or the Golden Jubilee, could be the focus of an Antipodean invasion with Sydney star mare Melito and dual Cox Plate winner So You Think other possible runners.
The Queen Anne Stakes will be run on June 14.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
