Ascot aim: Everest hero Yes Yes Yes set for royal assignment next year

Part-owner Brae Sokolski believes The TAB Everest winner Yes Yes Yes will be the best horse since Black Caviar to make the trip from Australia to Royal Ascot after connections confirmed plans to target the meeting next year.

Yes Yes Yes, whose owners include Coolmore, is set for a potential crack at the King’s Stand and Diamond Jubilee, a race Black Caviar landed in 2012, after an autumn campaign in Australia.

The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old will race in Coolmore’s silks in Europe as part of the ownership agreement.

Sokolski, who attended the meeting this year as a part-owner of Ribblesdale fifth Love So Deep, said: “Royal Ascot has always been on the agenda from the moment Coolmore bought into Yes Yes Yes and he has proved himself worthy of the trip.

“He’d be the best horse Australia has taken to Royal Ascot since Black Caviar. Our heart is set on going there, representing Australia and hopefully winning a big sprint.

“I loved the place when I went and it steeled my resolve to go back and win a race. It was a fabulous experience and I can’t wait to head back.”

The TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 is a potential target in Australia for Yes Yes Yes once he returns from a spring break, while a decision will be made nearer the time as to whether the star sprinter remains with Waller or joins Aidan O’Brien.

Sokolski said: “He's not the finished package so with a good spell he’s going to come back bigger and better in the autumn, which is a pretty scary proposition.”

Brae Sokolski (left): bids for a first Melbourne Cup success with Finche on TuesdayCredit: Racing Photos

More immediately, Sokolski’s sights are set on Lexus Melbourne Cup glory with leading hope Finche, in whom he holds a share along with Khalid Abdullah and Winx's co-owner Peter Tighe, among others.

Last year’s fourth finished an encouraging fifth in the Caulfield Cup this month and Sokolski is expecting a big run from the general 10-1 shot.

Sokolski said: “I’m very hopeful. He ran an enormous race last year and he’s in a better place now as a gelding. He’s had a pristine campaign coming into the Melbourne Cup, which has been the main aim, and his run in the Caulfield Cup was an ideal lead-up. I wouldn’t swap him.”

There was a social media storm this week after Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne was fined A$1,000 (£533/€618) for labelling Sokolski “a pig” on Twitter following the owner's decision to replace Linda Meech on Victoria Derby hope Thought Of That at Flemington on Saturday.

Payne on Thursday tweeted an apology to the Melbourne businessman and Sokolski is happy to put an end to the saga.

He said: “It was blown out of proportion and there was no ulterior motive to my decision to change riders – I simply picked who I thought was the best jockey for the horse in the race. It was very disappointing to have my name slurred but it’s come to an end now and we can focus on the racing.”

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