ONLY victory will suffice for Scottish in the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Saturday if he is to form part Charlie Appleby’s team to take to Australia later in the year.
Having missed an outing at Glorious Goodwood after meeting with a setback, the four-year-old will look to follow up his recent Listed success at Newbury with a win in the Group Three event.
Should all go to plan in the mile-and-a-quarter contest on Merseyside, then a potential trip Down Under in the autumn could become a reality for the son of Teofilo.
Appleby said: “I am very pleased with him going into this race. He pulled a muscle, that is why he missed Goodwood, but he goes into this race fit and well.
“The trip and ground is there to suit him. He is potentially a specialist over that distance and he won nicely at Newbury over it.
“Hopefully this a stepping stone towards going to Australia with him, but he will need to win to justify going there.”
Foundation, one of two runners in the race for trainer John Gosden alongside Royal Artillery, will make his first start since undergoing a gelding operation carried out after his disappointing display in the French Derby as he bids to get his career back on track.
While last season’s Royal Lodge Stakes winner is without a victory to his name this season, the son of Zoffany has been placed in both the Craven and Dante.
Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “In France he really disappointed all connections.
“I’ve never seen John Gosden so genuinely cross after a race as he was generally disappointed with the horse as he knew he had him in top form.
“He was very shouty in France calling out to other horses and he was noisy in the race itself, so we ended up doing the dreaded act sooner rather than later.
“John has reported him in good form and he will have blinkers on to help him concentrate. He is very talented. Physically he has done well and his best form entitles him to be competitive.
“The ground is maybe a shade quick for him but this is not the be all and end all as it can take a while for a gelding operation to work.
“He is a dual course winner and that is a big tick. We will learn a lot more after Saturday, but we are excited to see him run again. John knows there is a big engine under his bonnet, it is just a case of getting it going again.”
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Arab Spring makes his first start since finishing second in last year’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown 436 days ago.
With the six-year-old’s regular partner Ryan Moore taking a break, Andrea Atzeni steps in for the ride of the 2014 winner of the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Atzeni said: “It looks a good ride to get and I am very lucky to get the ride. He has been off for over 400 days, but it looks to be quite an open race.
“I’ve not spoken to Sir Michael, but I am sure he has a plan what he wants to do with him. He has obviously had issues but it looks a good starting point for him.
“On his best form he would have a big chance. If he is on his best form he could take a lot of beating.”
The field is completed by recent Glorious Goodwood winner Fire Fighting from the yard of Mark Johnston, the Richard Fahey-trained Gabrial and Bazooka, who is the representative of David Flood.
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