FRANKEL ALL SET FOR THE QEII

Cecil confirms Frankel  pacemaker plan for QEII

 

SIR HENRY CECIL is likely to deploy a pacemaker when Frankelattempts to stretch his unbeaten record to nine in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot next month.

Bullet Train, three-parts brother to the superstar colt, is Frankel's lead horse at home and Cecil is set to run him in the Qipco-sponsored Group 1 over a mile on October 15 to guarantee a proper gallop.

"I don't want Frankel to lead all the way," Cecil told At The Races. "Hopefully there will be a decent pace and we don't need Bullet Train, but he is there to make sure it is a sensible pace for Frankel whatever the others do."

As long as everything goes to plan between now and raceday, Cecil believes Frankel has a great chance of maintaining his perfect record.

"If I can get him right I'd be very disappointed if he doesn't win. I wouldn't swap him, but that doesn't mean I'm going to win."

Henry Cecil: "I wouldn't swap him"

 PICTURE:Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos) 

Frankel has won on everything from good to firm through to soft ground, and Cecil continued: "I don't think he'll really mind what the ground is. I wouldn't mind if it did get a little bit soft. He will go with a bit of give in the ground.

"He's won with give in the ground and he's won on fast ground. I think he will get away with whatever ground it is."

Among the 13 potential rivals to Frankel is Immortal Verse, winner of the Group 1 CoronationStakes at Royal Ascot and Deauville's Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois on her latest two starts.

Brendan Hayes, who manages owner Richard Strauss' Kilfrush Stud in Ireland, said: "Immortal Verse is very well and we are targeting the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes with her. We are optimistic and it looks like it is going to be a great race.

"Hopefully, she can show her usual turn of foot, although it is certainly going to be an interesting race in terms of tactics. A good pace would suit us."

Other possible starters include Excelebration, who has twice filled the minor honours behind Frankel this season, and Dick Turpin who looks set to represent champion trainer Richard Hannon.