Leading sprinter Reckless Abandon is set to contest the King’s Stand Stakes rather than the Diamond Jubilee at the Royal Ascot Festival in a fortnight.
Reckless Abandon was considered one of the leading chances for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes but trainer Clive Cox announced yesterday that he preferred the shorter trip of the King’s Stand Stakes for the son of Exchange Rate.
“Reckless Abandon will probably be going for the King’s Stand,” Cox said.
“We have kept him in the Diamond Jubilee to keep our options open, but I think a stiff five furlongs will suit him better.”
The three-year-old opened his campaign with a third place finish behind Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock and Cox said he has come on well in the fortnight after the run.
“He ran a great race in the Temple Stakes and has come out of the race very well,” Cox said.
“I am very pleased with him and he stands a good chance.”
Reckless Abandon was one of the star European two-year-olds last season and finished 2012 with five wins from five race starts.
The colt was victorious in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes during the 2012 Royal Ascot Festival as well as the Prix Robert Papin and the Group 1 Prix Morny in France.
After a brief freshen up he returned to England and defeated a strong field to win the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.
Reckless Abandon is on the second line of the 2013 King’s Stand Stakes betting market at 
Bet365, behind South African sprinter Shea Shea, and still remains second favourite for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
According to trainer Mike De Kock Shea Shea has acclimatized well to conditions in the United Kingdom but stablemate Soft Falling Rain has not responded well to his new environment and may miss the Royal Ascot Festival.
You can find the best 2013 King’s Stand Stakes odds at Bet365.
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