Dubai: Al Quoz Sprint (G1) runner-up Ahtough has been handed the task of securing a maiden victory for Godolphin in the £375,000 (Dh2.3 million) King’s Stand Stakes (G1), one of the attractions on the opening day at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
The Dubai-owned operation has an impressive record in the showpiece meeting but has yet to win the five-furlong sprint, which is the fifth of ten races that comprise the Global Sprint Challenge.
Trained by Charlie Appleby, Ahtough looks set to face some of the world’s top speedsters, including the two horses who fought out last year’s King’s Stand Stakes — Irish sprint sensation Sole Power and South African star Shea Shea. Qatar Racing-owned Hot Streak is the 9-2 ante-post favourite.
Ahtough had an admirable campaign in Dubai, where he was narrowly beaten in three of his starts. On the last of these, he ran a blinder only to be beaten by a neck by Amber Sky.
“He has gone from strength to strength in Dubai and has proved today that he can compete at the top level and that was a career-best performance,” Appleby said after the race.
“We will put him away now and take him back to England. Hopefully we will have a bit of fun with him during the summer.”
Shea Shea has made a name for himself as a major international sprinter with 11 wins from 24 starts, including three at the top level.
He produced some sparkling efforts in the UK last season, finishing fourth behind Lethal Force in the Group 1 Darley July Cup (G1) at Newmarket and followed it up with a half-length second to Jwala in the Nunthorpe (G1) at York.
His trainer Mike de Kock thinks the world of him and is confident that he will run another big race at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
The King’s Stand Stakes is probably the UK’s most international race, with raiders from Hong Kong, Australia, Spain and France landing the spoils over the last ten years.