Hungarian superstar Overdose remains on course for Royal Ascot and a clash with Australian Star Witness despite his disappointing show in the Temple Stakes at Haydock last weekend.
The “Budapest Bullet” was making his British debut in the Temple Stakes having won 15 of his previous 16 starts and was sent off favourite for the Group Two race.
He weakened late in the second half of the race with jockey Andreas Suborics citing the fast ground as the reason for his demise.
Miklos Katona, spokesman for the owners, is hoping for softer conditions in the King’s Stand Stakes, while he also hopes Overdose will be a better horse now having had longer to settle in Britain.
“The plan is still for him to go to Royal Ascot. He has come out of the race at Haydock OK and we hope for some rain,” Katona said.
“He stayed in England after Haydock as it would be a very long journey for him to come back to Hungary and then back to England again for Ascot.”
Star Witness has a much longer journey and leaves Australia on Wednesday accompanied by Hinchinbrook whose Royal Ascot aim is the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
A son of Starcraft who won Group One middle distance races in France and England after a successful career in Australia, Star Witness will stand at Widden Stud in the spring.
Australians Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006) and Miss Andretti (2007) have all won the King’s Stand (1000m).
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