Royal Ascot countdown begins for Alverta

The countdown for Alverta‘s Royal Ascot campaign began yesterday morning after her successful trial at Muswellbrook.

Trained by Paul Messara, the imposing chestnut daughter of Arrowfield’s champion sire Flying Spur and Grilse was ridden by Brett Marshall. As pictured on the right, he ensured the six-year-old mare had an easy trial, to help keep her as fresh as possible ahead of the arduous journey to England.

Alverta has been a headline performer for Flying Spur this season, getting her third Listed Stakes win in Queensland in December, then progressing to victory in the AJC Breeders Classic G2 in February, and a decisive two-length win in the STC Coolmore Classic G1 on 20 March. That was her eighth win from 35 starts and took her earnings to $982,325. That makes her this season’s leading Australian earner for Flying Spur who, along with his fellow Arrowfield champion sires Redoute’s Choice (2nd) and Hussonet (15th), is currently among Australia’s top 15 sires with total prizemoney of $4,062,272.

Alverta’s first assignment in England will be the six-furlong Golden Jubilee Stakes G1 at Royal Ascot on Saturday 19 June. It’s the second British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge and has already fallen to an Australian horse, Choisir, who won it in 2003. The race was established in 1868 as the All-Aged Stakes, became the Cork and Orrery Stakes in 1926 and was re-named for the second time in 2002 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Apart from Choisir, previous winners include champion sire Danehill (1989).

All going well, Alverta will then head to the third British leg of the Global Sprint Challenge, the July Cup G1 on 9 July over six furlongs at Newmarket. The July Cup’s first running was in 1876 and previous female winners include Marwell (1981) and Habibti (1983).

Alverta leaves Scone with her groom Leah Gavranich on Sunday 23 May for Melbourne, where she will be stabled until she departs for England late on Wednesday evening 26 May.