Aussies in hunt for Ascot riches

To borrow a phrase from the trainer and jockey, 'he's ready to explode'. 

They were the words from Will Bourne as he discussed Carl Spackler ahead of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot on Tuesday night (Australian time). 

Bourne, who is trainer Ciaron Maher's Head of Bloodstock, said the Irish-bred galloper who has raced exclusively in the US registering eight wins from 12 starts, was in a good headspace ahead of his UK debut. 

Leading Australian-based jockey James McDonald is booked to ride the entire and partnered Carl Spackler in some work on Monday morning (UK time). 

"He's switched on, bright, well, healthy and there is a level of confidence around the team with that horse," Bourne told RSN. 

"There are the factors of the mile and the straight for the first time, but he's going to run a race, whether that's fourth or winning, but he's shown he's very fit, well and bright." 

Carl Spackler is not the only 'Australian interest' in the opening race of the Royal Ascot meeting with Docklands an opponent to be ridden by Mark Zahra. 

Dockland is owned by the OTI Syndicate and is trained by Harry Eustace, the brother of now Hong Kong-based David Eustace, the former training partner of Maher. 

The five-year-old ran second in the Queen Anne last year before making his way to Australia, finishing fifth in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley and sixth in the TAB Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington. 

Eustace feels Docklands is back in the same form that produced his second in last year's contest but has acknowledge this year's race is a tougher contest. 

"Arguably, his first-up run this year, and I'm not a huge figures man, but the figures people say it was a very big performance and on the numbers was his best ever performance," Eustace said. 

"That was very encouraging to hear. 

"We were unlucky at Epsom 10 days ago, so at the very least it feels like the same Docklands is going to rock up, but I think it's a deeper race on paper. 

"He's got his work cut out, but he is an absolute Ascot specialist, and you can never rule him out because of that. 

"There are a number of Group 1 winners rocking up against each other and we're very excited to be involved in it." 

The Henry Dwyer-trained Asfoora is making her return to Royal Ascot in a bid to defend her crown in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (five furlongs), race three on the program. 

Dwyer said he has seen gradual improvement in Asfoora in the time the mare has been in the UK but feels she may be a length-or-two off her best. 

"Last year we had seven or eight weeks before Ascot for her to get ready for it and even by the time Ascot rolled around, she still wasn't 100 per cent going into it," Dwyer said. 

"She still presents a bit scrubby and bit wintry, but she's put on 10 kilos in the last seven days, or so, and looks a lot better for it. 

"She's going the right way, not the wrong way, but it would have been nice to have an extra week or two up our sleeve. 

"It's hard to quantify, but my gut feel is she's a length or two below her best, but I think it's a length or two weaker this year, so it might even itself out. 

"Her gallop last week was brilliant, her trial before she left was just, but that was without blinkers and I reckon she's looking for them now, so we've put them on. 

"It will be interesting to see how she goes. I reckon she will run well, but whether she wins or not, I just feel like she's going to improve a length or two throughout the season." 

Oisin Murphy will again be aboard the mare after success in the race last year.