Trainer Paul Messara has ground concerns for Ortensia in the King’s Stand Stakes
Trainer Paul Messara will be heading to Ascot from Newmarket to check on his runner, Ortensia, who will be participating in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on 19th June, 2012.
The trainer is concerned about the soft surface of the track, and says that it will possibly hinder the horse’s performance.
Messara stated that the level of competition has definitely increased with the participation of Black Caviar in the Royal Ascot, and also says that most of the favourites prefer a track that is firm.
He said:
"It is a bit of a concern - she's got mixed form on rain-affected tracks but she's definitely better on top of the ground, there's no doubt. She does have a devastating turn of foot when she's right and that slow ground might take away a bit of that
dash."
The daughter of Testa Rossa, out of mare Aerate´s Pick, has flourished since the 34-year-old trainer took her under his wing, as she was trained by Tony Noonan until 1st November, 2011.
The seven-year-old mare has landed three victories under Messara’s conditioning including the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Emirates NBD at Meydan on 31st March 2012, where she defeated the Edward Lynam trained, Sole Power,
by 1 ¼ lengths.
The surface of the track was good and it worked well in the bay mare’s favour.
The experience runner was brought to Newmarket immediately after her victory at Meydan, so she could be taken care of and run through work-outs, due to this, she is in good form and will bring her best to the track.
The trainer is contemplating sending the A. D. N Fraser, Miss A. C. N Fraser and Ms. E. J. H. Ridley owned runner to the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes on 23rd
June, 2012, to take on Peter Moody’s charge, Black Caviar, if her form allows, he told the press:
"Obviously horse welfare is number one but if the weather was fine and dry I might send her out again."
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