Royal Ascot: Sir Busker targeted at Queen Anne Stakes return after fifth in Dubai Turf on World Cup night
Sir Busker finished third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and ran well for fifth in the Group One Dubai Turf at the Dubai World Cup on Saturday; Juddmonte International at York on the radar later this year
Tuesday 29 March 2022 12:15, UK
Sir Busker has the Queen Anne Stakes as his main objective in the first half of the season after picking up valuable prize money in Dubai on Saturday.
The six-year-old was third in the Group One at Royal Ascot over the straight mile last summer and connections are looking to go to the Berkshire track once more, where he has a good record.
The Sir Prancealot gelding, trained by William Knight, showed he was in good heart when staying on well to finish fifth in the Dubai Turf over nine furlongs on his third run at Meydan this year.
- Aidan O'Brien stable tour: Luxembourg all set for Guineas
- Pyledriver may defend Coronation crown as Muir ponders options
"We were over the moon with him - $150,000 (£115,000) for fifth is incredible," said Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owners Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds.
"It was just amazing. They went so quick and coming into the home straight he was last and we felt they were coming back but the Japanese horse [Panthalassa] must be a machine because he was the one that made the running and how he kept that pace up I'll never know.
Trending
- Man City vs Aston Villa LIVE!
- What time are Usyk and Fury in the ring?
- World Darts Championship: Dobey headlines afternoon session LIVE!
- Final Usyk-Fury judge confirmed after coin toss settles rival camps' dispute
- Coventry, Swansea, Sheff Wed in action | All EFL LIVE on Sky Sports+
- PL Predictions: More dropped points for Arsenal at Palace?
- World Darts Championship schedule: Littler, Barney headline Super Saturday
- Transfer Centre LIVE! Dele says goodbye to Everton - Como next?
- Brentford vs Nottingham Forest preview: Norgaard set to return for Bees
- Papers: Man Utd considering Rashford loan exit in January
"We were delighted. He had to go round one horse or he'd have been fourth. It opens up lots of options and interesting ideas for the future.
"He is going to be entered in the Lockinge, but he might instead go to the Paradise Stakes at Ascot. Hopefully, he'll have a really good chance of winning that and then go to the Queen Anne.
"We know the stiff mile at Ascot suits him. That will be the main target for the first half of the season."
After that, Sir Busker could step up to a-mile-and-a-quarter with the Juddmonte International at York in August already being considered.
"Then he'll maybe go up in trip to 10 furlongs. The Juddmonte International is definitely on the radar," Hoskins went on.
"It will be pretty hard for him to win a race like that but they'll probably go quick and they'll probably have pacemakers in there. We'll be looking to go abroad as well. We'll try to run him where the prize money is good."
