Holler pleases in Randwick barrier trial
The lone Australian-trained entrant for Royal Ascot has been given a solid but not over-taxing hit-out in a Randwick barrier trial.
Godolphin’s Holler finished a half length second to the Bjorn Baker-trained Encostonati in the 1050m heat on Friday.
The colt’s mission will be the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on June 18, the final day of the Royal meeting.
“That was all I wanted him to do, have a nice hit-out and stay out of trouble,” trainer John O’Shea said.
“He’s got a lot of residual fitness. He’ll have another gallop in about a week which will leave us a bit to work with when we get to England.
Godolphin Australia’s managing director Henry Plumptre said the Diamond Jubilee, in which Brazen Beau finished second last year, was a more suitable option than the shorter King’s Stand Stakes.
“We’re looking at following the same course as with Brazen Beau last year and go for the Diamond Jubilee,” he said.
“It’s a solid six furlongs but he’s won at Group One level in Australia at 1300 metres (6-1/2 furlongs) so we think he’ll be best suited at that trip.”
Holler, who will race as a four-year-old in England, won the Group One Canterbury Stakes in March before finishing the closest of seconds to Flamberge in the William Reid Stakes.