Decision on King Of Steel’s upcoming appearance still pending
All options remain open for King Of Steel following his impressive victory at Royal Ascot
The triumph of King of Steel at the prestigious Royal Ascot has left all possibilities on the table for this remarkable horse. Trained by Roger Varian, King of Steel showcased his exceptional talent by securing a glorious win in the King Edward VII Stakes, firmly establishing himself as one of the leading middle-distance colts of the season.
Amidst great anticipation, connections have been contemplating two potential paths for this sensational steed. One option is a trip to ParisLongchamp on July 14 for the esteemed Grand Prix de Paris. On the other hand, an enticing rematch with Epsom conqueror Auguste Rodin at Ascot’s illustrious King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes on July 29 remains a possibility.
However, decisions are yet to be finalized as those involved carefully weigh their choices and contemplate which route will best serve their immensely talented contender as he progresses through the season.
“He’s still got his entry for both France and Ascot and no decisions have been made yet,” explains Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing and operations manager. “He’s come out of Ascot in good shape, everyone is really happy with him and all options are on the table; we just need to make sure we pick the right one.”
This prudent approach takes into consideration that it is indeed a long season ahead and utmost care must be taken to preserve King Of Steel’s wellbeing. As a clearly gifted equine athlete with aspirations beyond this year alone, it is crucial that he receives proper nurturing throughout his career trajectory.
Meanwhile, Amo Racing also boasts another promising talent named Olivia Maralda under Varian’s training at Carlburg Stables. Having previously tasted success in the Surrey Stakes, Olivia Maralda is slated to compete against her female counterparts in the Group Three Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes on August 2 during the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Following her commendable fifth-place effort in the Jersey Stakes last month, this strategic decision allows Olivia Maralda to regain momentum among her own sex before potentially taking on older competitors in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes later in that same month.
“She ran a great race against the colts in the Jersey and we were really pleased with that. The draw probably didn’t help in hindsight,” Pennington elaborates. “We gave her an entry in the City of York earlier this week, and she is probably going to head to the Oak Tree next at Goodwood.”
The plan is to secure another victory for Olivia Maralda by attaining success at Group level following her previous triumph at Listed Level at Epsom. This achievement will serve as a stepping stone for further progression and future endeavors within her racing career.