Cannonball takes aim at King’s Stand Stakes

It wasn’t the case for all who participated, but last week’s Flemington jumpout only heightened excitement around this month’s Royal Ascot meeting for those associated with Cannonball.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained three-year-old proved he was on track for the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes when first home of the three who will be flying out on Wednesday night, comfortably holding Coolangatta and Artorius in the 900-metre hitout.

The workout cast doubt over Coolangatta’s trip, which was allayed within 48 hours, but the Cannonball team could not have been happier with what they saw.

It was the first time the colt had been down the Flemington straight since the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) last October, when an unlucky 1-1/2-length third behind Giga Kick.

Cannonball’s only other straight-track appearance came in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m), when fifth on debut, and his managing owner James Harron was thrilled to be given a chance to be reacquainted with the straight before departure.

“It was really good of the VRC, we really appreciate it, because it gives them a nice blowout before they get on the plane and rejig their memory of going down the straight,” Harron said.

“I think it’s a really big thing he’s been down the straight before, he was a super run behind Giga Kick when he was a little unlucky and he would have made it interesting if he got out at the right time.

“He’s seems to get into a nice rhythm and relax, which is really important, and it gives us a bit of confidence with that straight track form to go to England.”

Last week’s jumpout followed a slick 4-1/4-length Rosehill trial win on May 15 with his only two starts since the Danehill Stakes producing a win in the Group 3 Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) and third placing in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m).

Harron and several of the ownership group will be there in the hope of seeing their son of Capitalist, a $975,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling who has won three of 10 starts, stamp himself a stallion with dual-hemisphere appeal.

“We’ve got a really good team going, everyone is getting themselves organised and we’ve got some good events organised for over there, so we’re super excited,” Harron said.

“It’s quite nerve wracking, but the team at Peter and Paul’s have made a lot of effort in putting everything in place and there won’t be any stone left unturned, so fingers crossed.”

Cannonball and Coolangatta will contest the 1006m King’s Stand Stakes on June 20 with Artorius to tackle the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1207m) on June 24 alongside the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained The Astrologist, who is already in England.