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Carl Spackler connections eyeing Ascot glory

3 minute read

Connections of Carl Spackler are looking forward to unleashing their new recruit in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next Tuesday.

Carl Spackler.
Carl Spackler. Picture: Racing and Sports UK

A three-time winner at Grade 1 level in the United States, Carl Spackler will don the recognisable silks of Yulong Investments for the first time at Ascot having been sold to the powerhouse owners following his facile four and a quarter length success in the Maker's Mark Mile at Keeneland in April.

Formerly under the care of Chad Brown, the now-five-year-old son of Lope De Vega will head to the Berkshire venue ready to make his stable debut for the Ciaron Maher team.

With a mouthwatering clash against the likes of Lead Artist, Rosallion, Notable Speech and Dancing Gemini just around the corner, Carl Spackler warmed up by being put through his paces by Jamie Spencer on Newmarket's July Course on Wednesday morning.

Speaking at the track, William Bourne, Maher's bloodstock manager, said: "We came here wanting to have a hit-out. That's his second gallop since he's been here in Newmarket, he came in with good condition and arrived a very healthy horse from Chad Brown.

"After the feedback from Jamie Spencer on his first gallop, he needed a good hit-out so coming here today, he got that and that's exactly what we wanted to achieve.

"He's done it really nicely and Jamie said when he gave him a little squeeze late on, he really exploded, and he was pretty impressed by how much he'd switched on from his first to his second gallop. It's obviously not an easy task for us, but the horse looks fit and well."

Despite being a general 20/1 chance for the Royal meeting curtain raiser, connections of Carl Spackler are evidently confident of a bold showing, although Bourne was quick to acknowledge that the stiff mile at Ascot would pose a different challenge.

He said: "I would say his biggest challenge is the conditions and the track. A stiff mile at Ascot is probably the biggest ask coming from America, I think that will be his biggest challenge in handling that.

"It would be amazing (to win). It's pretty unique to purchase a horse in America, to be trained by an Australian and run at Royal Ascot."

Whilst Jamie Spencer has been in the saddle in both gallops to help out his old ally Ciaran Maher, James McDonald will take over come Ascot Tuesday, with Bourne delighted to secure the services of the international star, who has already enjoyed notable success for owners Yulong courtesy of six Group 1 wins from the ex-George Boughey-trained mare Via Sistina.

"James is great, obviously he's had a lot of luck with the colours on with Via Sistina and he's had winners at Royal Ascot before," explained Bourne. "He's a great fit for the owners; they wanted him and it's a great to have a world-class jockey on your horse in a Group 1.

"He's Yulong's main rider in Australia and if 'J-Mac' was available, we were very happy to use him.

"James is happy to come over and ride the horse, I was chatting to him last week, he's watched his tapes and is getting very excited about the horse.

"He didn't know who he was, and I got a very bland response, but after watching the tapes and having a look at the horse, he's very excited and upbeat."

Whilst Royal Ascot is clearly at the forefront of connections minds, Carl Spackler could be destined for a further European action, with Goodwood seemingly firmly under consideration before he heads to Australia to target the Cox Plate.

Bourne added: "The long-term plan is to bring him out for the Cox Plate, so we'd be thrilled to get this on the way through.

"We'll play it by ear, we're going to look at Goodwood as an option, but his ultimate goal will be the Cox Plate, so we will see how he runs on Tuesday and go from there. He's obviously a quality horse and there will be plenty of options for him."


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