Champion English jockey Ryan Moore has first call on the ride aboard Shamal Wind at Royal Ascot.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said connections had approached Moore to ride the Oakleigh Plate winner in the King’s Stand Stakes.
“He’s been approached and he doesn’t think he’s got any commitments to Coolmore in that race,” Smerdon said.
If Moore is required to ride a Coolmore-owned horse in the Group One sprint on June 16, Smerdon said the ride would likely go to Damien Oliver.
Oliver will be in England to ride Australian Guineas winner Wandjina in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal Ascot meeting on June 20.
“Damien is going to trial her on Monday,” Smerdon said.
“At least then he’s had a feel of her and if we do have to find another rider, then Damien could possibly ride her.”
Shamal Wind will have an 800m trial on Monday in an important hit-out in the lead-up to her international mission.
The mare has not raced since her fast-finishing Oakleigh Plate win in late February but she had a soft trial at Cranbourne earlier this month.
“She’s going along well and will have a solid trial on Monday and then she leaves the week after,” Smerdon said.
“Everything is part of a plan and I’m looking forward to it.”
“The closer it gets the more we’re all looking forward to it.”
The five-year-old will be part of a strong Australian presence at Royal Ascot with Newmarket Handicap winner Brazen Beau, Wandjina and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Criterion also aimed at the famous carnival.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Wandjina and Chris Waller-trained Brazen Beau are both scheduled to have a jump-out at Flemington on Friday.
Brazen Beau, Wandjina and Shamal Wind will fly to England on Wednesday week.
The David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained Criterion is already at Newmarket in England preparing for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 17.
