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No rush to commit to Queen's Trust target after Nassau disappointment

3 minute read

Connections of Queen's Trust are in no rush to commit to future targets following her disappointing run in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Queen's Trust
Queen's Trust Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine looked to need her comeback run at York in the spring and bounced right back to her best to finish a close-up fourth behind Highland Reel in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Back against her own sex at Goodwood, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained four-year-old looked to have sound claims, but was unsuited by the rain-softened ground and finished last of six runners behind the brilliant Winter.

Chris Richardson, managing director of owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, said: "We were a little bit disappointed, but the ground obviously wasn't in her favour.

"With only six runners we had to let her take her chance, but she's a better filly on fast ground, as she showed at the Breeders' Cup.

"She also came back with quite a nasty cut. I don't want to make too many excuses, but there were a number of things that didn't go her way on the day.

"We'll see where we go from here. There are a number of options."

Queen's Trust is engaged in both the Juddmonte International and the Yorkshire Oaks at York later this month and also holds entries in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.

If she does return to the Breeders' Cup later in the year, however, she will take on the boys.

"She's not going to be able to defend her crown in the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Turf) this year because they've reduced the distance to eight and a half furlongs because of how the track is set out at Del Mar," Richardson explained.

"We have the option of going back up to a mile and a half in the Breeders' Cup Turf, but whether we'll do that, I'm not sure. Mr and Mrs Thompson (owners) would make that decision,

"We'll see how she is and make a plan from there."


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