Hong Kong raider lands King's Stand

Hong Kong raider Little Bridge led home Bated Breath in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Danny Shum's New Zealand bred six year old was winning at the top level for the first time in his career under regular pilot, Australian Zac Purton.

Roger Charlton's Bated Breath, who had dropped back to five furlongs in order to avoid Black Caviar later in the week, gave chase but the son of Dansili couldn't peg back his rival.

He was three quarters of a length adrift at the line with a further length back to Sole Power (who had finished runner-up to the second at Haydock last time) coming home strongly in the centre of the track, away from the major action.

There was drama at the start with Masamah asked to back out of the stalls after rearing up with all the field loaded which left 22 runners for the five furlong dash.

Australian mare Ortensia and French filly Wizz Kid were sent off at the head of the market but neither were able to land a blow with the Australian challenger involved in a little bumping as she looked for room before drifting to the far rail.

She failed to quicken once out in the open, however, unlike course specialist Medicean Man who flew home late on to take fourth.

Purton said: "He travelled like the winner the whole way and I was always confident.

"When I came up the rise, I knew I had a lot of horse left and I knew it would take a good one to beat me.

"Danny and I both came here pretty confident in the horse, so we expected something anyway.

"Hopefully it is just the start of a good week for Australians."

Shum said: "I'm very happy and Zac did a very good job.

"My team have done a really fantastic job and I don't know how to say how happy I am.

"I planned to come half a year ago as I love to come to England.

"I really like this country and I really like my horses to win in this country."

Asked if Little Bridge could return to Ascot next year, Shum said: "I have a plan to run Little Bridge in Japan in September, so we'll have to see how he goes."

Edward Lynam felt conditions were not in Sole Power's favour.

He said: "He's run very well. I walked the course at 12.30pm and I thought the ground was not bad enough to pull out.

"I don't want to take anything away from the others, but a better draw might have helped.

"He will have a break now and come back for the Nunthorpe and the Abbaye."