Star Witness bids to continue the fine record of Australian sprinters at Royal Ascot when he struts his stuff in the King’s Stand Stakes.
Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) have all won the five-furlong dash in recent years and Star Witness’s trainer Danny O’Brien has had this target in mind for some time.
“He’s taken the trip over here pretty well, given it’s 38 hours door to door,” said O’Brien.
“Coming to Ascot has been at the back of my mind ever since he won his second start and we’ve been pretty conservative with him this season because of that.
“He’s only raced twice since Melbourne Cup week in November and that has been by design because I was thinking that the races that would really suit him were up here.
“I’ve been over here before and got beaten but didn’t want to come back again unless I had one with a good chance and I think I’ve got one now.
“If Star Witness turns up in the form he was in for Melbourne Cup week, which I hope he is, then he is going to be hard to beat. He was super impressive in a barrier trial before getting on the plane out here.
“He’s going to be covering mares (at Widden Stud) in September and this week is going to be his grand finale. It would be good to finish his career with a big exclamation mark.
“Anthony (Thompson of Widden Stud) was keen to come here and always knew that Royal Ascot was on his radar.
“It’s great that Australian horses keep travelling to England and we hope to keep up the good record at Royal Ascot. The race is no afterthought and I certainly think he’s capable of winning.
“Steven Arnold will be on board. He is an outstanding rider – we have had a lot of success together and he won on Scenic Blast at Ascot.”
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