'When he gave him a little squeeze he really exploded' - former US ace lights up July course before Queen Anne bid

Connections of Carl Spackler gave the go-ahead for the chestnut to make his first start for his new Australian connections in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (2.30) at Royal Ascot on Tuesday after he shone in a workout on the July course at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

The five-year-old, who was supplemented for the royal meeting's opening race at the six-day stage at a cost of £53,000, impressed in a piece of work just shy of next week’s mile trip under jockey Jamie Spencer. However, James McDonald will be taking over in Tuesday’s contest.

The three-time US Grade 1 winner was getting a feel for undulations on the July course which will stand him in good stead for Ascot having previously raced at flatter tracks such as Keeneland, where he won the Maker’s Mark Mile in April. Following that, he signed off for Chad Brown having been bought by Yuesheng Zhang's Yulong Investments and switched to Ciaron Maher.

Carl Spackler has been stabled at Charlie Fellowes's yard since arriving in Newmarket a fortnight ago and has been working with the Harry Eustace team, who provided the lead horse for the workout on this occasion.

Will Bourne, head of bloodstock for Ciaran Maher, said: “We came here wanting to have a hit out. That’s his second gallop since he’s been here in Newmarket and he arrived in good condition from Chad Brown. He did what we wanted him to do today and Jamie said when he gave him a little squeeze he really exploded.

“We're impressed with how he’s switched on from his first gallop in Newmarket last Friday to his second here this morning. It’s a tough ask to go to the Queen Anne Stakes, but the horse is an absolute dude and is going to run a big race.”

Satono Reve and Ryan Moore in action on the July courseCredit: Edward Whitaker

The son of Lope De Vega was taking everything in his stride afterwards, and Bourne added: “The biggest challenge would be the track, but it’s a unique scenario to purchase a horse in America to be trained by an Australian and to pitch up at Royal Ascot. 

"The long-term plan is to take him back home for the Cox Plate, but we’ll play it by ear as regards any other European outings. He's entered in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.“

US-trained Tepin remains the only horse outside of Europe to have won the Queen Anne when doing so in 2016, and Carl Spackler is a 20-1 chance with bet365 to repeat the feat.

Later on the July course, Ryan Moore rode Japanese contender Satono Reve, who turned many heads when bursting out of the Dip in his prep for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (3.40) on Saturday week.

The Grade 1-winning six-year-old, who is boarding with James Horton, is 6-1 third favourite for the 6f sprint – and it is easy to see why.

Trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “After arriving from Hong Kong, Satono Reve had some time to recover before steadily building up his training. Today, we completed his final gallop before the race – a five-furlong piece ridden by Ryan Moore. Although it's a different environment from what he’s used to, he’s been coming along well thanks to the warm support of James Horton, his team and everyone involved.” 

Queen Anne Stakes (2.30 Royal Ascot, Tuesday)
bet365: 5-2 Rosallion, 4 Dancing Gemini, 9-2 Lead Artist, 5 Notable Speech, 7 Sardinian Warrior, 12 Lake Forest, 16 Diego Velazquez, 20 Carl Spackler, Quddwah, 25 Docklands, 100 Cairo.

Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (3.40 Royal Ascot, June 21)
Betfred: 7-2 Lazzat, 5 Inisherin, Storm Bay, 6 Satono Reve, 8 Topgear, 9 Kind Of Blue, 12 Believing, Flora Of Bermuda, 20 Regional, 25 Elite Status, Kikkuli, 33 bar.

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