British trainer David Simcock still considers the Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) to be among Trade Storm's options after his encouraging Tuesday outing at Royal Ascot.
British trainer David Simcock still considers the Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) to be among Trade Storm's options after his encouraging Tuesday outing at Royal Ascot.
The five-year-old was one of 20 horses to be given an invitation by the Moonee Valley Racing Club for the Weight-For-Age championship on October 26.
He is likely to have more starts through the European summer first, though, after staying on for fifth in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over 1600 metres on the opening day of the Royal Carnival.
He carries the colours of Qatar Racing Limited, and owner Sheikh Fahad is keen to travel more Australian runners after his experience with Dunaden winning the 2011 Emirates Melbourne Cup and 2012 BMW Caulfield Cup.
Trade Storm has made marked progress through handicaps since arriving in Simcock's care through last year and won the Group 2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan in March before his fourth to another Cox Plate invitee, Sajjhaa, in the Dubai Duty Free (1800m).
Slowly into stride under Jamie Spencer this time, the son of Trade Fair did not have the cleanest of passages down the Ascot straight but stayed on into fifth, three and a half lengths behind the winner Declaration Of War.
"I was very pleased with him," said Simcock.
"He's a very hard horse to get fit, he's a big horse who always comes on with racing, as we saw in Dubai this year.
"He travelled well before getting tired this time but I think he ran the fastest furlong in either of the two Group 1 races on the opening day."
Simcock said decisions would be made after consultation with Sheikh Fahad and his racing manager, David Redvers.
"We don't have an exact plan, we need to talk to David and the team first," he said.
"The Cox Plate is an option after being kindly invited and you never say never."
Trade Storm has several more imminent options in Britain for connections to choose from.
These are the Coral-Eclipse (2000 metres) at Sandown on 6 July, or alternatively he could remain at 1600 metres for the on 31 July for the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, which is sponsored by the Sheikh's Qipco organisation.
Simcock, who started out in 2004, has enjoyed Group 1 success with Europe's top sprinter of 2011, Dream Ahead, and went on to saddle I'm A Dreamer to considerable success in America last year.
Click here to view Trade Storm's 'Race To Sprinf' International Horse Profile.