A trip to England with stablemate Black Caviar is among the plans for King’s Rose but the mare won’t simply be a travelling companion.
A Group One winner in New Zealand before being transferred to Peter Moody, King’s Rose takes on Sydney pin-up More Joyous in Saturday’s Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.
Although it will be a daunting task against More Joyous, Moody believes the mare deserves an Australian Group One win after some near misses.
“Taking King’s Rose to England with Black Caviar for Royal Ascot is among the options we have discussed,” Moody said.
“There are some nice mares’ races over a mile for her there.
“She and Black Caviar are paddock mates so it would be nice and get on well together.
“She has raced well in Australia and has been beaten by inches in Group Ones here.
“She is only a whisker off it.”
The Gai Waterhouse-trained More Joyous dominates betting at $1.80 for the defence of her title with King’s Rose the second elect at $5 and Myer Classic winner Hurtle Myrtle next at $9.50.
King’s Rose’s Group One performances include a short half head second to Albert The Fat in last year’s Emirates Stakes (1600m) and a close third, beaten a head and a half neck behind Ofcourseican and Secret Admirer in last Saturday week’s Coolmore Classic.
A Group One win in Australia or further afield would enhance the broodmare value of King’s Rose even more although her pedigree is one of the best around.
By Redoute’s Choice out of Nureyev’s Girl, she is a half sister to the sale topper at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sale in New Zealand.
Te Akau Stud boss David Ellis outlaid $NZ1.75 million for the Fastnet Rock colt.
Moody will also have Lights Of Heaven in the Queen Of The Turf as he attempts to reinvigorate her career.
A Group One winner of the Schweppes Oaks in Adelaide last autumn, Lights Of Heaven was winless in a five start spring campaign and goes to Rosehill for her first start since finishing last in the Mackinnon Stakes.
More Joyous was also not at her best in the spring but thrilled her many fans with a brilliant first-up win in the Canterbury Stakes to earn her odds-on quote on Saturday.
