Wellington set for Royal Ascot after strong Sha Tin trial
Richard Gibson has declared “it’s all systems go” for Wellington to embark on a Royal Ascot tilt next week after Hong Kong’s reigning Champion Sprinter cruised through a 1000m turf trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.
Preparing for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on June 24, Wellington finished half a length behind Beauty Charge in third place while clocking 57.94s under Alexis Badel, who kept the four-time Group 1 winner under restraint throughout the hit-out.
The performance delighted Gibson, who hopes Wellington can become Hong Kong’s first Royal Ascot winner since Danny Shum-trained Little Bridge won the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes (1006m) in 2012. David Oughton-trained Cape Of Good Hope was Hong Kong’s first victor at the Royal meeting with success in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at York in 2005.
“There’s no greater judge than Alexis to base his (Wellington’s) form and condition on and we’re really satisfied with the trial,” Gibson said.
Explaining the understated nature of the trial, Gibson said: “It’s hot and we’ve got to travel in a few days. He did everything perfectly today. He’s on the plane on Saturday and we’re looking forward to it. It was a good boost to see him work so well this morning.”
Gibson will return to Royal Ascot hoping Wellington can go one better than his former stable star Gold-Fun, who ran second in 2016 when beaten a neck by Twilight Son in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m).
Acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter for the past two seasons, Wellington added another Group 1 title to his imposing portfolio of achievements with victory last December in the 2022 Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) under Ryan Moore, who reunites with the All Too Hard gelding at Royal Ascot next week.
Since winning the Hong Kong Sprint, Wellington has posted four successive placings – including three at Group 1 level – behind the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse to underscore his consistency and quality.
Gibson’s focus turns to Happy Valley on Wednesday night when One For All chases a fourth consecutive win at Happy Valley under Luke Ferraris from barrier eight.
“There’s no doubt about it, he’s got his chance again on Wednesday. We would have preferred an apprentice on board, but Luke’s won with him and he likes that slightly wider draw, so I’m sure he’ll be there in the reckoning,” Gibson said.
“He’s always shown a lot of class, he just had a slow start. He’ll be winning more races next season.”
To carry 135lb on Wednesday night, One For All has struck a rich vein of form at the city circuit, stringing together a trio of 1200m wins to rise from 42 in the handicap to 60.
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