Better than Lady Aurelia? Ward eyes Battaash clash with latest sprinting star

Wesley Ward is gunning to take on European sprinting sensation Battaash with leading young prospect Golden Pal who he hopes this season will emerge as the best he has ever trained.

The American trainer is no stranger to top sprinters having saddled Lady Aurelia, Undrafted, No Nay Never and, most recently, Campanelle to Group 1 success in Europe. But Ward has lofty ambitions that Golden Pal will emerge as the best yet.

The three-year-old son of Uncle Mo was second in the Norfolk Stakes last season but then went on to score at the Breeders' Cup and is being aimed at the King's Stand Stakes and Nunthorpe in Britain this season.

Golden Pal is a 6-1 chance with William Hill for his Royal Ascot target and his trainer cannot wait to take on the brilliant Battaash.

"We're looking forward to it," said Ward. "Battaash is a very worthy opponent, the years are hopefully behind him but I'm still a big fan. When you have these types of real good sprinters matched together, it just brings excitement to everyone involved in racing.

"We're excited to come back over but it's always tough on the home course where he'll have the advantage.

Golden Pal: second in the Norfolk StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"This guy [Golden Pal] has proven he can go on all types of ground and he's a very exciting sprinter. He's one of the best I've ever trained and hopefully he'll end up to be the best with all the accomplishments we’ve set for him this spring, summer and culminating in the fall."

Golden Pal's season would start in a 5½f stakes race on the first weekend of April at Keeneland although his big target this season is the Nunthorpe, a race Ward came tantalisingly close to winning with Lady Aurelia who lost out by a nose to Marsha in 2017.

Ward added: "The Nunthorpe has eluded me and that'll be almost the main goal for this guy. We'll get him back, get him to the King's Stand and I'm really looking forward to that race at York."

The trainer was speaking after Campanelle was announced as the joint highest-rated two-year-old in the European classifications.

Campanelle: winner of the Queen Mary at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

Although entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, her campaign is to be tailored around the Commonwealth Cup for which she is 7-1 favourite with Coral.

"Her main goal would be the Commonwealth at Ascot," said Ward. "We're working backwards from that race and the Guineas doesn't come into play right now."

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