Star Witness bids to continue the fine record of Australian sprinters at Royal Ascot when he struts his stuff in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) have all won the five-furlong dash in recent years and Star Witness's trainer Danny O'Brien has had this target in mind for some time.
O'Brien said: "He's taken the trip over here pretty well, given it's 38 hours door to door. Coming to Ascot has been at the back of my mind ever since he won his second start and we've been pretty conservative with him this season because of that.
"He's only raced twice since Melbourne Cup week in November and that has been by design because I was thinking that the races that would suit him were up here. I've been over here before and got beaten but didn't want to come back again unless I had one with a good chance and I think I've got one now. If Star Witness turns up in the form he was in for Melbourne Cup week, which I hope he is, then he is going to be hard to beat.
"He's going to be covering mares (at Widden Stud) in September and this week is going to be his grand finale. It would be good to finish his career with a big exclamation mark. Anthony (Thompson of Widden Stud) was keen to come here and always knew that Royal Ascot was on his radar.
"It's great that Australian horses keep travelling to England and we hope to keep up the good record at Royal Ascot. The race is no afterthought and I certainly think he's capable of winning. Steven Arnold will be on board. He is an outstanding rider - we have had a lot of success together and he won on Scenic Blast at Ascot."
The Group One contest has attracted speedsters from all over the world as part of the Global Sprint Challenge as well as being in the British Champions' Series. Sweet Sanette represents Hong Kong and the six-year-old mare is reported to be at the top of her game.
Trainer Tony Millard's wife Beverly said: "Sweet Sanette can be a bit temperamental - she is not the easiest to work with and a fighter but that is often what makes a good mare. She has settled down over the last day or two and her preparations are going well.
"Jamie Spencer will ride here because we wanted a jockey who knew the track. Sweet Sanette has beaten Sacred Kingdom in Hong Kong and, although he is getting on in age, he is still good. We think she has come on since her last race and that she will be there at the finish on Tuesday."
The Todd Pletcher-trained Bridgetown is one of two runners from the United States. He led at this distance when fifth to the Rae Guest-trained Serious Attitude in the Grade One Nearctic Stakes over six furlongs at Woodbine in October. Pletcher's assistant Ginny DePasquale said: "Bridgetown is a trier. He'll give us his all, we just hope that's 110% and not just 99% but we're looking forward to it. Todd makes all the decisions but I assume he thinks Bridgetown could settle behind the speed and then make a good run."
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