My Cloud pencilled in for step up in Summer Mile

North Wales Chronicle

24-06-2025

Trained by Roger Varian for KHK Racing, the Blue Point colt took the one-mile handicap by three-quarters of a length having won another contest over the same course and distance in April.
He has clearly taken a liking to the track at Ascot, and may now move out of handicap company in a third start at the Berkshire track – this time at Group Two level.
'We were very happy with his performance, it was an obvious target for him from back in the spring and we were very pleased that Roger and his team were able to execute the plan,' said Chris Wall, racing manager for Shaikh Khalid's operation.
'We had the right horse at the right weight and the right draw, everything went according to plan.
'He's a talented horse, we haven't settled on a target as such but we'd like to test the water in stakes company.
'The first opportunity to do that would be in the Summer Mile at Ascot, where he's now won two nice races.
'It would be on the round course, not the straight course, but nevertheless I think Ascot suits him well and we'll map out the rest of his season from there.'
The KHK team also enjoyed another Royal Ascot winner, with Adrestia taking the five-furlong Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes in good style under Oisin Murphy.
She too could be due to set to graduate to more exalted company for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford.
'She won very nicely and was another horse we had Ascot in mind for from a long way back,' said Wall.
'She's another one where you're asking 'do we stay in handicap company for another race or do we move her up to stakes company?'.
'She is probably a stakes filly, it's just a case of finding the right opportunity to do it.
'We need to have a conversation, Simon, Ed, Shaikh Khalid and myself. We don't have a firm plan for her at the moment, but we'll work something out in the coming days.'
Staya brought home some money from the meeting, too, finishing fifth in the Group Two Queen Mary for trainer George Scott to leave connections pondering a step up in trip.
'She ran a nice race, we were very happy with that,' said Wall.
'On that day there was a strong bias towards horses drawn on the stand side and unfortunately we were drawn low on the far side.
'I don't suppose that cost her a win, I think the O'Brien filly (True Love) won very nicely, but it probably cost her a place because we were only beaten a nose and a short head for third.
'We came away thinking she might stay six furlongs and so if everything is OK, we'll be thinking of running her in the Duchess of Cambridge at the July meeting.
'If that comes a bit quick then something like the Princess Margaret might be on the agenda, or even the Prix Robert Papin out in France.'