Moonlight Cloud (left): will be ready to run at the end of May
PICTURE: scoopdyga.comHead outlines Jubilee plan for Moonlight Cloud
France: Moonlight Cloud could add further strength to the female challenge for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, joining the unbeaten Australian mare Black Caviar among the international contenders for the Group 1 over 6f.
No filly or mare has won the equivalent race at the meeting since Posada landed the then Group 3 Cork and Orrery Stakes under Michael Roberts back in 1988.
Freddy Head on Wednesday earmarked the Saturday highlight as the first Group 1 target of the season for Moonlight Cloud, winner of last year's Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.
"She'll be ready for her first run back around the end of May or the beginning of June, probably at Longchamp," he said of George Strawbridge's daughter of Invincible Spirit. "And if everything goes well, she could go to Ascot for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes."
Moonlight Cloud was sent off the 9-2 favourite for last season's Qipco 1,000 Guineas, but having failed to see out the mile at Newmarket, went on to prove herself top class when dropped back in trip.
On her final start of 2011 she finished fifth to Deacon Blues in the Qipco Champions' Sprint at Ascot.
Head also had news of another of last season's leading fillies, Prix Vermeille winner Galikova.
"In principal Galikova will run in the Prix Corrida on her comeback," he said of Goldikova's half-sister. "If she runswell, we'll look at going back there for the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud."
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