King’s Stand Stakes runner-up Bated Breath is likely to avoid a clash with Black Caviar at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
Trainer Roger Charlton has all but ruled out backing Bated Breath up in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes after his second on Tuesday.
With Black Caviar in the field and rain forecast, Charlton is leaning away from a quick reappearance.
“At this stage, it is doubtful that he will reappear in the Diamond Jubilee at the weekend, unless something should happen to Black Caviar and Ascot missed the forecast rain due on Thursday and Friday,” Charlton said on his website.
“Although it was frustrating to finish second in yet another Group One race with Bated Breath, he did run another incredibly good race.
“The ground was changed to good after the race, but the time was still on the slow side compared to previous King’s Stands run on good ground.
“Bated Breath’s form has been a model of consistency and confirmed his form yet again with Sole Power, as well as with the winner who had finished a length and a quarter in front of us in Hong Kong in December.
Sole Power finished third in the race with Australian contender Ortensia out of the placings after sweating up before the race.
