Percy primed for Prince test
Last year’s Epsom Derby winner disappointed on his latest run on the Downs when he was sixth of seven behind Scorpion in the Coronation Cup.
That was over one-mile-and-a-half, with his next target the one-mile-and-a-quarter Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting.
“The likelihood is he will line up in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on the Wednesday, it’ll be a hot race but he’s in good form,” Tregoning told sportinglife.com.
“One noticeable thing was they weren’t going anywhere near fast enough for him at Epsom, so the drop back in trip should be okay. He has always shown a lot of speed — he was second in the 2000 Guineas in one of the fastest miles at three so I think there is a good chance he’ll be fine.
“I think they will be going faster anyway (in the Prince Of Wales’s) — that is the point. They will be going quicker and that will suit him. If it turns into a sprint maybe it won’t suit him but we’ll be on the ball hopefully and ride him accordingly.”
Tregoning also stressed the ground was against his charge at the Derby meeting.
“The ground was also against him because it was that sticky type of ground — I thought he would be fine but he is too good a mover to have it that testing.”
Sir Percy is entered in the Coral Eclipse at Sandown and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but Tregoning may aim his colt at a different late summer target.
“He is a possible for the Juddmonte as well. The Juddmonte is quite a lucky race for me so I might fancy that idea.”
Meanwhile Mick Kinane has been subject of a gamble to be top jockey at Royal Ascot for the fifth time.
VC Bet were knocked over for their offer of 8-1 about the former Irish champion, who now heads the market at 7-2.
“Mick Kinane was the only jockey the punters were interested in for the Royal Ascot top spot,” said VC Bet’s Neal Wilkins. “Clearly it would appear he will be getting plenty of attractive rides from Aidan O’Brien next week in addition to the other top stables that have been using his services.”
Kinane was last crowned top rider at the showpiece meeting in 2005, where his six winners included Azamour in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. The veteran has a total of 38 triumphs at the Royal extravaganza to his name.
Frankie Dettori – riding on the crest of a wave following three Classic successes in the space of eight days – and Jamie Spencer are next in the betting at 4-1.
