'I expected a little bit more' - doubt over King's Stand favourite Coolangatta after lacklustre workout

The participation of King's Stand Stakes favourite Coolangatta at Royal Ascot hangs in the balance after the Australian sprinter failed to sparkle in a training exercise at Flemington on Monday morning.

The two-time Group 1-winning filly finished third in a 900m (4½f) jump-out behind stablemate Field Of Flutes and fellow Royal Ascot hopeful Cannonball, leaving joint-trainer Ciaron Maher underwhelmed.

Coolangatta, who won the Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington on her most recent start in February, is priced at 7-2 for the King's Stand on the opening day of Royal Ascot on June 20, with Highfield Princess at 4-1 and Saturday's Temple Stakes winner Dramatised at 7-1. 

"I expected her to be a little sharper. Ben [Allen] said she jumped and travelled well, gave him a good feel, but when he asked her to pick up he said he thought she was a little plain," Maher told Racing.com.

"We will assess everything with her and the trial and make sure everything is spot on. When you are going halfway across the world to a big assignment, we will have to make sure everything is right, as you do anyway; but, as I said, I expected a little bit more as well.

"We will have to dot the I's and cross the T's and just assess everything."

Joint-trainer Ciaron Maher (right) will assess Coolangatta before deciding whether she goes to Britain for the King's Stand StakesCredit: Vince Caligiuri

Maher, who shares a licence with British trainer David Eustace, was looking for Coolangatta to impress in the workout before her scheduled flight to Britain on June 7.

He was also keen to speak to Flemington track manager Liam O'Keeffe about the condition of the straight course, suggesting it might have been softer than expected and could have explained the lacklustre performance.

"She had a medium trial the other day; this was going to be her strongest hit-out," he said. "I was just chatting to Liam. He was going to assess the track this morning after the trial. We'll just see what his thoughts are. 

"Flemington is usually very good, so I don’t think there would be too much there; but we will assess everything, we will assess the horse, we will have a look at her, monitor her and see how she is and make a decision.

"Any trip like that, or any race, the horse comes first; that can change in the blink of an eye with horses, so we will just see how she is, as we would anyway, but I did expect more today."

Artorius: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee favourite will be ridden by James McDonald

Should Coolangatta travel over for Ascot, she will stay at Charlie Hills' stable in Lambourn, following the route of last year's Australian King's Stand winner Nature Strip.

James McDonald is in line for the ride on Coolangatta as he attempts to follow up his win on Nature Strip. He is also booked for Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee favourite Artorius, who finished last of five in Coolangatta's jump-out.

However, the jockey was much happier with Artorius than Maher was with Coolangatta and believes his mount is all set for his Royal Ascot swansong.

"He was good, his action was brilliant, he has pulled up really well in the wind and it was a strong-run heat today," McDonald told Racing.com.

"It was a bit of a searching gallop for him, but he is pretty laid-back about things. He only goes about things in his usual Artorius fashion and he finished off and closed off well late in the piece.

"I was surprised with the pace of the trial, that's for sure, especially from the 400m it was pretty quick and it left him flat-footed, but he worked through his gears nicely late.

"He looks great, he feels great, he looks fit, he will pop himself on the plane and all the work is basically done; and we know he loves the straight six at Ascot, a very stiff six, which is very different to a 900-metre trial."

Artorius will have his final start at Royal Ascot Credit: Edward Whitaker

Artorius finished third in the race last year, beaten less than a length, and McDonald predicts another bold show on June 24.

"I've been following them up there, Highfield Princess looks the benchmark," he said. "Unfortunately, Godolphin's horse [Creative Force] went amiss, so it should be a similar field to last year. Hopefully, Artorius is in better form.

"His form suggests he is, having won a Canterbury Stakes and running super in a George Ryder Stakes. He is in the race up to his ears."

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'They were right, I was wrong!' - Karl Burke delighted by win for King's Stand hope Dramatised  

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