Andretti Ready For Ascot Raid

Australian speedball Miss Andretti is settling in well to new surroundings in Newmarket ahead of her Royal Ascot mission.

Lee Freedman, the mare´s trainer, is expected to arrive in England early in the week to oversee her final preparations.

Her first target is the five-furlong King's Stand Stakes, won last year by compatriot Takeover Target, who is set to be there again on June 19 to defend his title.

Miss Andretti is also entered in the Golden Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs four days later, but a firm decision regarding her participation in that event has yet to be made.

'Her temperature is right, she is eating fairly well and she has settled into her new surroundings,' Freedman told Sydney radio show, Racing To The Max.

Miss Andretti lost around 12 kilos on the 40-hour flight but Freedman is confident she will soon regain her condition.

'(The weight loss) is about what we anticipated,' he said. 'Last year Falkirk lost 17 kilos so she has done well.

'Beyond the two Royal Ascot races I haven´t made any plans. We´ll see what transpires.

'Of the dangers, Les Arcs, who won the Golden Jubilee last year, doesn´t look in the same form and his stable have had a virus.

'Asset won well the other day and Amadeus Wolf, who ran in the King´s Stand last year, looks to have come back well as a four-year-old.

'I also understand that Dandy Man has just been bought by Sheikh Mohammed´s wife, Princess Haya, and I expect he will run well. They look the main British challengers.

'On facts and figures and just on face value, old Takeover is still the one to beat. He´s the highest-rated horse to go there and he´s in form.

'I´m thinking that I´m taking the right horse. This mare is a 119-rater (with Timeform), a champion racemare, and she seems to have travelled well.

'The next two weeks will tell the story but I think she´s a great representative.'

Connections nearly had to search for a new jockey, as regular partner Craig Newitt was handed a hefty suspension over the weekend when riding at Eagle Farm.

However, the jockey will be available and added: 'Luckily they cut it back to 13 days and I´m back two days before the race.'

(C) PA Sport