A SPARKLING training gallop by Haradasun at Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle facility in Ireland on Saturday prompted the trainer to scrap plans to tackle an overnight Group 3 race at Leopardstown, Dublin, and aim higher.

Haradasun’s much anticipated first-up run for O’Brien will now be in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m) at Newbury, England, on Saturday night.

O’Brien had entered Haradasun for several races, including the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes, over 1600m, at Leopardstown.

The Lockinge, first run in 1958, is regarded as one of Europe’s premier mile races and has a glittering list of winners.

A win in the Lockinge, or the Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1, 1600m) at Royal Ascot on June 17 – the next target for Haradasun – would probably justify Coolmore Stud’s $22.5 million investment in the Australian four-year-old.

Fank Tagg, who retains a half-interest in Haradasun, said O’Brien was glowing in his assessment of Haradasun’s Ballydoyle gallop at the weekend.

“I spoke to Aidan on the phone . . . it sounds like it was a pretty special track gallop,” Tagg said.

“It prompted them to change tack immediately and head for the Lockinge.”

Tagg said Coolmore would be anxious to win a Group 1 such as the Lockinge.

“They have a huge investment in the horse. He wouldn’t be running unless they were supremely confident he’d run well,” he said.

Coolmore’s top jockey, Johnny Murtagh, rode Haradasun in his weekend gallop and will ride the entire for the first time at Newbury.

Tagg will miss the Lockinge but arrive in England two days before the Queen Anne.

“The Queen Anne is our ultimate goal,” he said.

The first day of the Royal Ascot carnival is shaping as a significant one for the Aussies.

Besides Haradasun, Takeover Target will try to win the 1000m King’s Stand Stakes for the second time in three years.
(Source: Herald Sun)