A jump-out later this week will be the first of two important tests for three-year-old Shamexpress before he departs for his Royal Ascot assignment.
Trainer Danny O’Brien confirmed the Group One Newmarket Handicap winner would have a jump-out at Flemington on Friday, and again the following week before he leaves for England on June 5.
Shamexpress winning the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Shamexpress is being aimed at the Group One King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) on June 18 at Royal Ascot, with plans for the colt to also stick around and contest other races during the European summer such as the July Cup.
“Everything has been spot on,” O’Brien said of the sprinter’s preparations.
“He’s going to trial this Friday and the Friday after.
“You have them ready to race when they get on the plane and then you don’t have to do much when you get there.”
Craig Newitt has already had success at Royal Ascot partnering Miss Andretti to victory in the 2007 King’s Stand Stakes and is looking forward to heading back there to ride Shamexpress.
Newitt won the Newmarket on Shamexpress at Flemington in March and will be back aboard him in Friday’s jump-out.
“I saw him the other day when I was at Danny’s stables and he looks a bigger, stronger colt than what he was on Newmarket day,” Newitt said.
O’Brien has previously taken Glamour Puss and Star Witness to England to race at Royal Ascot.
Glamour Puss was unplaced in both the King’s Stand and Golden Jubilee Stakes in 2006 while Star Witness was second in the King’s Stand and third in the Golden Jubilee in 2011 before being unplaced at his final start in the July Cup.
