Elite Status To Be Karl Burke's Captian Of Royal Ascot Team

Leading British trainer Karl Burke sends a strong team to Royal Ascot this term but his best hope at the five day meeting looks to be Elite Status in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes.

Seen twice to date the Sheikh Mohammed Obeid Al Maktoum trained two year old is unbeaten heading into Royal Ascot and looks a superstar in waiting.

Making his debut over 5f at Doncaster in May on soft ground he was a three lengths winner showing extreme speed. He was last seen up to Listed level at Sandown on rapid ground and improved for his first run and the new conditions to bolt up five lengths in the National Stakes.

Now going up in trip to 6f, his trainer feels he will improve again for the new distance and set to get good to firm ground, Elite Status looks very exciting for a trainer that thrives with these types.

“Elite Status came out of the National stakes well,” Burke told Tattersalls.

“We were confident going to Doncaster first time out and he improved again going into the National Stakes. It obviously looked a very hot race on paper and, if I’m honest I didn’t expect him to do it the way he did, but it didn’t surprise me he won.

“He has a great attitude; he’s always had that great walk to him, as Havana Grey himself had.“This colt has more scope than his sire and is a bigger model. He does his work, walks home, eats, sleeps, and that’s all you want in a racehorse.”

“I want to get him there in the best shape I can. If I do, I think he’s the one they’ve got to beat,” Burke added.

“You need everything to go right on the day. I’m confident he’ll stay six furlongs and the way progeny of Havana Grey are training on from two to three-year-olds, I see him getting further as well.

“I see him as a six-furlong horse this year and who knows, we may be trying the 2000 Guineas next year with a bit of luck.”