Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Wellington touched down in England on the weekend in readiness for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot on Saturday.
His British-born trainer Richard Gibson declared it was all systems go for the son of Vinery sire All Too Hard following a soft 1000m trial at Sha Tin last week. “Royal Ascot has always been the plan,” Gibson said. “It fits in perfectly with the Hong Kong season.
“He’s been the best sprinter here for a couple of years and in the last few months he’s just been headed by Lucky Sweynesse who is the best sprinter in the world. That puts us in good shape and it was a good boost to see him go so well in the barrier trial particularly as Alexis (Badel) had him under restraint throughout the hit-out.”
Gibson has booked Ryan Moore for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and he was aboard when Wellington won the Group 1 HKJC Longines Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin in December. “Having Ryan riding was great news for team morale as he’s only choosing horses he thinks can be competitive in the Group 1 races,” Gibson said.
“Wellington’s times are great and he’s the right age. We’re not going for the craic – I’m too old for that stuff! We would only take a horse who can be competitive. And with HK60 million banked, you’ve got to respect him.
“Everything has been well organised and this week will just be R&R for him.” Wellington is stabled with Brian Meehan at the world-renowned Manton Estate which is located 80km west of Ascot.
Gibson is bidding farewell to Hong Kong after 12 years and among the highlights was a prior trip to Royal Ascot with Gold-Fun (Ire) who was beaten a neck in the 2016 Diamond Jubilee Stakes by Twilight Son who was ridden by Ryan Moore.
“It’s a rather canny coincidence,” he said. “I have had very few runners at Royal Ascot in my career but I took over Gold-Fun and still think on another day he might have won the race. Wellington is a younger horse of equal ability.”
UK bookmakers have Wellington priced at $14 behind Vinery-bred graduate Artorius (Flying Artie) who is the $6.50 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
Wellington can open All Too Hard’s account in England. He has sired 424 individual winners in 10 countries and stands at Vinery for an unchanged $38,500 service fee (inc. GST) this season with payment on a live foal. For bookings or further information, contact Adam White (0414 800 918) or Harry Roach (0401 970 006).