Carl Spackler to Race Once More in Britain
Former top United States miler Carl Spackler is expected to race one more time in Britain before starting his new career in Australia.
The triple grade 1 winner was bought last month by Yulong Investments with a long-term aim of contesting the Oct. 25 Cox Plate (G1), a race the owners won last year with superstar mare Via Sistina .
Carl Spackler left the care of United States trainer Chad Brown and was entrusted to Ciaron Maher, who oversaw the 5-year-old’s trip to Britain for a first international test when lining up June 17 in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.
Sent off at 15-2 in the ten-strong field under James McDonald, Carl Spackler started keenly and looked in with a chance down the home straight, but he eventually faded to finish sixth behind Docklands .
Carl Spackler holds an entry in the Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood July 30, but Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull did not outline a specific target when telling racing.com he would stay in Britain for one more race as part of his Cox Plate preparation.
“Ciaron was pleased with what he saw,” Turnbull said of the Ascot run. “He was solid. He traveled a bit strongly for the first 200 to 300 meters.
“The Cox Plate was voiced as it’s our premier race. We know he’s effective at a mile with three grade 1 wins, but his grand final is probably going to be the Cox Plate (over 1 1/4 miles).
“We haven’t etched out a path yet as to how he’ll get there.”
