Shamexpress (NZ) on Parade Ahead of Royal Ascot Tilt

Shamexpress (NZ) on Parade Ahead of Royal Ascot Tilt

Kiwi sprinter Shamexpress (NZ) has settled well into his new surroundings at Newmarket in England ahead of his £350,000 Royal Ascot Group 1 King Stand Stakes (1000m) tilt next Tuesday.

The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winning son of O’Reilly (ex Volkrose) was paraded for the British media yesterday morning and looked in good order, with his trainer Danny O'Brien happy with the way he handled the trip and his work ahead of his big test next week.
Shamexpress NZ Rug
Shamexpress (NZ) on parade at Newmarket.
Photo by Trevor Jones

“He looks terrific, he travelled well and looks a really happy horse,” said O'Brien. “We have had our eyes set on Ascot since his Newmarket win and he will be fresh coming into the King’s Stand Stakes but he’s in really good shape.”

The form Shamexpress carries into the race took a timely boost on the weekend. The three-year-old beat Linton in his final trial at Flemington on 31 May before he flew to England and Linton came out and beat a good field of sprinters in last Saturday’s Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

“They both trialled really well that day and it was great to see Linton back that up and win the Stradbroke. Hopefully we can do the same.”

Shamexpress will not back up in the Group 1 Jubilee Stakes (1200m) next Saturday at Royal Ascot with O'Brien keen to save the horse for the Group 1 July Cup three weeks after the race.

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