Royal Ascot winner and dual Group 1-placed 'TDN Rising Star' Telescope (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is reported to be in “good form” by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Harry Herbert as he prepares for the 2015 flat season.
The 5-year-old won last year's G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot by seven lengths before finishing second to Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. He then checked in third in the G1 Juddmonte International and was fourth, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.
“I saw him last week and he appeared to have filled out again and got stronger–he seems to have gone on again from four to five,” Herbert said. He added that Telescope could take in the same key races as last year or go for the G1 Coronation Cup on Epsom Derby day June 6.
“[Trainer] Sir Michael [Stoute] has mentioned the possibility of starting him off in the [G2] Jockey Club S. at Newmarket [May 2] and that could be a good place for him to begin his season,” Herbert said. “We will obviously take it one step at a time, as we always do with Sir Michael. He could go for the Coronation Cup or follow a similar route to last year and go for the Hardwicke before the King George. The aim this year is to grab that elusive Group 1 win.”
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