Preparations are hotting up for the team of Australian runners intending to race at Royal Ascot. For one of those, accommodation has already been booked with King Charles III Stakes hope Overpass set to stay at Charlie Hills‘ yard.
Hills has won both of Royal Ascot’s sprint Group 1s in the past decade. Battaash was a star sprinter, but Khaadem twice caused an upset in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. He won the 6f contest as an eight-year-old in 2024, defending the title he won at 80/1 a year previously.
Overpass will still run under Bjorn Baker’s name, however. The trainer has never had a runner in the UK, but is excited about his charge’s prospects.
“At his best he’s very good and he’s been up against so many good sprinters,” Baker said, as reported by the Racing Post. “You talk about Ka Ying Rising, Joliestar in the T J Smith Stakes recently, and he’s had a fair few battles with Nature Strip.
“Unfortunately, he didn’t quite get the better of them, but he’s been up against the best for what seems like years now. Royal Ascot has sort of always been in the back of our minds and it’s sort of now or never.
“I think as a seven-year-old, his experience will help him. He’s got a lot of frequent-flyer points around Australia – so hopefully he travels there well.”
Only fellow potential Australian raider Joliestar is above Overpass in the betting for the King Charles III Stakes. The 5f showpiece takes place on the opening day of Royal Ascot on Tuesday 16 June.
Stingray attack rules out Lady Of Camelot
A dramatic incident on Altona Beach has ruled out another of Australia’s sprinting hopes. Lady Of Camelot, a Group 1 winner herself, was shockingly stung during an attack at a routine workout.
Entries had been made for Lady Of Camelot in both Group 1 sprints. She traded at a slightly shorter price for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the Saturday. She has since been transferred to a veterinary hospital, with a decision awaited on her future.
A statement from her owners read: “While the immediate focus is on her recovery and well-being, the decision has been made to end her Brisbane Winter Carnival and international campaigns effective immediately,
“A decision regarding her future will be made in due course. Given her elite pedigree and Group 1 success, she remains a highly valuable prospect.”