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LIGHTNING Spear is likely to head next to either the Woodbine Mile or the Prix de la Foret according to trainer David Simcock.
Qatar Racing’s six-year-old returned to winning ways last Saturday with a last-gasp success in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood.
It was his second victory in the Group 2 – this time by a nose from Zonderland. And it came 12 months after he beat the same rival in the race.
Connections are now building towards another tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot (October 21).
But before then they are considering a return to Group 1 company for the Pivotal horse.
David said: “We were delighted with Lightning Spear’s win last Saturday. He had been campaigned this year in Group 1s, which makes it tough for him.
“The options now are he could possibly go to Canada for the Woodbine Mile on September 16 or the Foret (October 1) if it came up very soft – we know he handles very soft ground.
“We will probably end up at Ascot on Champions Day again.”
David also outlined that if Lightning Spear doesn’t go to the Woodbine Mile – which Trillium Place won with Trade Storm in 2014 – then stable-mate Arod may head to the Group 1.
The six-year-old joined the string in June and according to David is “training well.”
In other news, stable favourites Breton Rock and Sheikzayedroad are on course to appear at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting in a fortnight’s time.
Both are being aimed at second successive victories in the Group 2 contests that they won on Town Moor a year ago. Breton Rock took the Park Stakes, while Sheikhzayedroad won the 250th running of the Doncaster Cup.
More recently, Breton Rock gave the yard one of its 2017 highlights with a stunning success in the Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood early in the month.
David said: “Breton Rock will again head to the Park Stakes – possibly the Foret. Again he has exceeded expectations this year winning the Lennox – punching above his rating. He’s just a lovely horse to have around.”
Sheikzayedroad has yet to match the highlights of his 2016 campaign but ran very creditably in last week’s Lonsdale Cup at York where he was fourth, beaten only by two and a half lengths.
David added: “I was very pleased with Sheikhzayedroad’s run at York. We rode him to finish his race especially after he’d faded quite badly at Ascot (Gold Cup) and Goodwood (Goodwood Cup). He’ll go for the Doncaster Cup next.”