The next few days will be crucial for Australian sprinter Gold Trail who could remain in England for two races if he can recover from the effects of his Royal Ascot disaster.Gold Trail emerged from the King's Stand Stakes in a sore and sorry state after one of the worst runs of his career.But trainer Gary Portelli is keen to show English racegoers the real Gold Trail and if he can get back to his best this week he will stay for the King George at Goodwood on July 29 and perhaps the Nunthorpe Sta
The next few days will be crucial for Australian sprinter Gold Trail who could remain in England for two races if he can recover from the effects of his Royal Ascot disaster.
Gold Trail emerged from the King's Stand Stakes in a sore and sorry state after one of the worst runs of his career.
But trainer Gary Portelli is keen to show English racegoers the real Gold Trail and if he can get back to his best this week he will stay for the King George at Goodwood on July 29 and perhaps the Nunthorpe Stakes at York a month later.
Portelli is back in Sydney but is in constant contact with Gold Trail's handler and chiropractor.
"He has general muscle soreness and is having daily physiotherapy," Portelli said.
"We need to make a decision by Friday because I want him to have a decent gallop on Saturday to decide if we stay there.
"He would want to improve quickly but the reports are good.
"The decision needs to be made so that we either bring him back to Australia with Nicconi and Starspangledbanner or he stays.
"If he can't race there he needs to be on the plane with those horses so he can get through his quarantine as soon as possible.
"If we're happy he is fit to race he will stay for the King George which is a Group Two race and then the Group One Nunthorpe if he comes through that OK."
Gold Trail was never a factor in the King's Stand. He slipped at the start and was not able to muster early speed which is his trademark.
Nicconi and Alverta are scheduled to represent Australia in the July Cup at York on July 9 along with former Australian Starspangledbanner, winner of the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
The David Hayes-trained Nicconi will return to Australia to stand at Widden Stud while Starspangledbanner will join the stallion roster of new owner Coolmore.
Starspangledbanner is favourite for the July Cup with British bookmakers who have him between 2-1 and 5-2 while Nicconi is quoted between 12-1 and 16-1.
Another former Australian Denman, now with Godolphin, is around 12-1 while Alverta is generally a 33-1 chance.