Royal Ascot© Photo Healy Racing
Connections of Redkirk Warrior believe his previous experience of Ascot will stand him in good stead when he tackles the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday week.
Formerly with William Haggas, he won a 10-furlong handicap at the Berkshire venue in July 2014, beating Agent Murphy.
After a short spell in Hong Kong, he then found himself in Australia where, like so many before him, he was reinvented as a sprinter.
He is trained in a partnership by father and son David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig.
Ben Hayes said: “It was a long trip over, but he’s an older horse and he’s done a lot of travelling.
“I’ve been really happy with him since (he arrived) and he’s done everything right. He’s moving and sound so I’m really happy.
“It’s an advantage that he’s been on the track. That was a long time ago, but we know he handles it.
“I definitely think he’s got the credentials to run well as winning a Newmarket Handicap and a Lightning Stakes (both in Australia) is pretty good form for Ascot.”
Frankie Dettori has been booked to partner Redkirk Warrior and Hayes believes the seven-year-old is tactically versatile.
He added: “In the Lightning he came from last and in the Newmarket he led and won, so he’s pretty bombproof.
“Frankie will have easy instructions to ride him where he’s comfortable.
“He is very quick, but he’s got a lightning turn of foot.”
Whether Redkirk Warrior remains in Britain after Royal Ascot is dependant on how he performs.
Hayes said: “If he wins, he’ll probably stay for the July Cup. If he runs well he’ll probably stay for the July Cup as well.
“If he runs poorly, we’ll take him back and we might look at a little race called the Everest.”
