Toscanini Has Naas Challenge
Toscanini has his second start of 2015 in the Group Three Racing Post Lacken Stakes over six furlongs at Naas, Ireland on Monday, June 1 in preparation of running at Royal Ascot.
Time/Date - 16.45hrs local time/Monday, June 1, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Naas/Ireland
Surface/Distance - Turf/6f
Toscanini has his second start of 2015 in the Group Three Racing Post Lacken Stakes over six furlongs at Naas, Ireland on Monday, June 1 in preparation of running at Royal Ascot.
The three-year-old Shamardal colt, trained by Michael Halford in Ireland, made a winning return to action this year at Navan on May 17, beating Ainippe by head in a conditions race over six furlongs after 245 days off the track.
Toscanini performed consistently and well during his first season in 2014, finishing second four times.
He went down by a length and a half to Gleneagles, a dual Classic winner this year, in the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh over seven furlongs September 14.
He ran on well for a comfortable three quarters of a length victory in a Polytrack maiden over six furlongs at Dundalk on August 17.
Toscanini was beaten half a length by Dick Whittington in the six-furlong Group Three Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh on July 19.
Toscanini also filled the runner-up spot twice more - in the Listed Chesham Stakes over seven furlongs at Royal Ascot on June 21 and when beaten a head by Keeneland Phoenix Stakes runner-up Kool Kompany in another Listed race over six furlongs at Naas on June 2.
The Shamardal colt was third on his debut in a Naas conditions race over six furlongs on May 14.
His Royal Ascot targets include the six-furlong Group One Commonwealth Cup (June 19) and the Group Three Jersey Stakes (June 17) over seven furlongs.
Michael Halford said: "Toscanini is in very good form and I was very happy with his win at Navan last time out.
"The ground at Naas is good at the moment and although there is supposed to be some rain knocking about, I don't expect it to change too much.
"It looks a strong race, with Anthem Alexander in there as well, but hopefully Toscanini can give a good account of himself.
"The race should tell us which direction we should go with him at Royal Ascot - whether over seven furlongs for the Jersey Stakes or six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup."
Toscanini takes on up to five rivals from stall six and is ridden for the first time by James Doyle. His main opponent is likely to be last year's Group Two Queen Mary winner Anthem Alexander.
Toscanini © Pat Healy Photography
