Like her older half-sister Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) three years ago, Stonestreet homebred Lady Pauline (Munnings) could hardly have been more impressive on debut at Keeneland last weekend, receiving the 'TDN Rising Star' badge with a debut victory. The chestnut could very well be part of trainer Wesley Ward's 2019 Royal Ascot team, aiming to win the G2 Queen Mary S. like her sister, and Ward-who won his first two races at the Royal meeting 10 years ago-said Lady Pauline could even go to Britain early to take in Royal Ascot trials day.
“I've put a plan out there to go to Ascot in May for the race we won with Create A Dream a few years ago,” Ward said. “The Stonestreet Stables guys will talk it over and decide, but the reason they sent her to me was to race at [Royal] Ascot. I think she's a very good filly. Her work has been really nice since the start, and I'm excited about her for sure.
“If she doesn't run in the May race in Ascot I would say it's doubtful she'll run before Royal Ascot. There is one race for her in Churchill, but that is on the dirt and I'd be trying to steer them away from that if we want to go for the Queen Mary.”
Ward will have a typically strong team of juveniles for Royal Ascot, and his older brigade could include Bound For Nowhere (The Factor), who was third in last year's G1 Diamond Jubilee and second on return in Keeneland's GII Shakertown S. on Saturday, and The Mackem Bullet (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}), winner of the GII Appalachian S. at Keeneland last weekend.
Of Bound For Nowhere, Ward said, “He ran at the weekend and was beaten a short-head, but I think his chances were compromised. I kind of like him to come from behind a little, and the jockey took him straight to lead, which doesn't really suit him. He's come out of the race in great shape, and I think he's back to his best.”
The Mackem Bullet also has an option in the G1 1000 Guineas in Newmarket in May. The Mackem Bullet was trained in Yorkshire by Brian Ellison before being purchased by Katsumi Yoshida.
“We'll talk it over with the owners next week and see which way we go,” Ward said. “I'm very grateful to the Yoshidas for sending her to me. She's in the 1000 Guineas, and later on there's the [G1] Coronation S. at Ascot. It will be one of the two.”
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