Co-trainer David Eustace says that King’s Stand Stakes aspirant Coolangatta has arrived well and taking to his new environment in the UK towards his run down the Ascot straight at the Royal Meeting next week.
“She’s travelled very well,” Eustace told RSN.
“She’s travelled as well as you could possibly hope and she was very quiet and relaxed on the flight.
Losing just eight kilograms through making the trip, the last start Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) winner – one of her five victories in eight outings – is rated the $4 second favourite for the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m) behind six-year-old mate Highfield Princess at $3.70.
It is a positive turn for the three-year-old filly after a disappointing jump out at Flemington last month that threatened to derail Ciaron Maher and Eustace’s hopes for Royal Ascot success, and to follow in the footsteps of Nature Strip last year, Scenic Blast (2009), Miss Andretti (2007), Takeover Target a year earlier, and Choisir in 2003.
“Her coat looks well which is not easy for a three-year-old filly to do in winter in Australia,” Eustace added.
“All the vital signs are good and let’s hope she has travelled well from a performance point-of-view.”
Coolangatta will have a gallop over the Ascot course on Wednesday with James Mcdonald in the saddle.
Eustace is expecting a fast-rated track for the five-day meeting with the King’s Stand Stakes run on the opening day on June 20.
