Dubai: Muthmir hopes to compensate for a narrow defeat in last year’s King’s Stand Stakes, one of three Group 1 races that feature on the opening day’s card at Royal Ascot on Tuesday, when he takes his place alongside some of the world’s best sprinters.
Trained by William Haggass, and ridden by Paul Hanagan, retained rider to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Muthmir finished third behind Goldream (Martin Harley) and Medicean Man (Joap Moreira) in an electrifying renewal of the five-furlong dash for cash.
Final declarations for the race that is part of the British Champions Series and Global Sprint Challenge will be made on Sunday morning, but Shaikh Hamdan is also expected to be represented by Waady, with trainer John Gosden booking in-form Frankie Dettori for the ride.
“You wouldn’t ideally want to run both in the King’s Stand, but they both have plenty of speed for five furlongs,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to Shaikh Hamdan. “Muthmir is an out-and-out five-furlong horse.”
Waady won four of his six starts last season and finished a creditable third in the Palace House Stakes on his return at Newmarket last month.
The Shaikh Hamdan pair also finished third and eighth respectively in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock three weeks ago.
Shaikh Hamdan won the King’s Stand Stakes back in 1990 with Dayjur.
Among the confirmed runners are the Michael Dods-trained Mecca’s Angel, winners of last year’s Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1) and star American sprinter Acapulco who is trained by Ascot regular Wesley Ward.
Another horse with strong claims is Clive Cox’s Profitable while several front runners from last year’s contest including Goldream, Pearl Secret, veteran Sole Power and Take Cover are all likely to line-up.
The King’s Stand Stakes became part of a new international race series, the Global Sprint Challenge, in 2005. It is now the fourth leg of the series, preceded by the KrisFlyer International Sprint and followed by the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
The opening day of action also showcases two other Group One events, including the Queen Anne Stakes for older horses and the St James’s Palace Stakes over 1600m for three-year-olds.
American star Tepin has dominated the build-up to the Queen Anne, a contest that attracts Europe’s top older milers.
Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Group 1) at Keeneland in October, Tepin won her four starts since including the Grade 1 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes.
Other contenders include Ervedya, winner of the Coronation Stakes at the meeting last season and the French entry Esoterique.
Godolphin are represented by Lockinge (Group 1) scorer Belardo and Toormore, while Time Test and Limato add depth to a field that also features the likes of top milers Arod, Barchan, Kodi Bear, Lightning Spear, Mondialiste and Amazing Maria.
