3 minute read
Roger Varian is looking forward to having the Italian maestro on side in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
King Of Steel has already proved himself a high-class performer in the three-year-old colts middle-distance division this season. The striking son of Wootton Bassett came close to causing a major upset when second to Auguste Rodin in the Epsom Derby before going one better when a commanding winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. King Of Steel has since run well in both the King George and the Irish Champion Stakes and Roger Varian is confident his colt is in top form heading into Saturday's assignment.
"He's been training great, and he looks terrific. They tell you when they are right, and he's telling us right now," said Varian.
Owners AMO Racing parted ways with their previously retained rider Kevin Stott last month leaving the door open for the ride on King Of Steel.
Connections opted to call up Frankie Dettori and although it's scheduled to be his final ride in Britain, the 52-year-old did announce last week that he'd be extending his career to ride full-time in America and is well-fancied by most to return for Royal Ascot next season.
Varian believes that not only will the mile-and-a-quarter contest at Ascot suit his horse on Saturday but that the partnership with Dettori will do so as well.
"Regardless of whether Frankie is signing off or not, I think he'll suit the horse, and I think the race will suit him too," he added.
"He [Dettori] came and rode him, and he was happy with him. It won't be an easy race, but both horse and jockey go there in good form. I wouldn't swap him.
A tilt at the Breeders' Cup turf seemingly isn't completely being ruled out although Varian was keen to stress the focus relies solely on Ascot this weekend at the current stage.
"The Breeders' Cup isn't completely off the table, but the Champion Stakes at Ascot comes first of course and that's where our focus lies."
King Of Steel is currently 10/3 to land the Champion Stakes with Paddy Power at Ascot on Saturday.