Paul Messara believes Ortensia will put up a "hell of a fight" in the King's Stand and that Black Caviar is past the post in the Diamond Jubilee.
Australian trainer exudes confidence ahead of Royal Ascot
Paul Messara believes his star mare Ortensia will put up a "hell of a fight" in next month's King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Australian speedball rounded off 2011 with a Group One victory in her homeland and made a successful second trip abroad when turning in a brilliant performance in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan.
The horse that finished second that day, Sole Power, was narrowly beaten by Bated Breath in Saturday's Temple Stakes at Haydock, and Messara believes that pair are two of the biggest dangers to his charge on June 19.
Ortensia is based at Abington Place stables in Newmarket, the yard of British-based Australian Jane Chapple-Hyam.
No Hiccups
"I'm very happy with how she's settled in. We've had no hiccups with her whatsoever since she arrived five weeks ago," said Messara.
"She came straight here from Dubai, as I think it's a big advantage to get here early. The flight from Dubai to England is only about nine hours, while you're talking 35 to 40 hours if you fly in from Sydney.
"I watched the race at Haydock on Saturday and I thought Sole Power was a bit unlucky, but maybe he's just one of those horses.
"The winner is obviously equally as good and you'd imagine those two, along with Joy And Fun from Hong Kong, would be the main dangers to Ortensia.
"I don't think it will be a dissimilar field to the one that lined up in Dubai so if we can get our mare to Ascot in the same form she was in at Meydan, she's going to put up a hell of a fight."
A Whipping
Ortensia also holds an entry in the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting but Messara will only allow her to take her chance if compatriot Black Caviar does not make the race.
The latter is unbeaten in 21 career starts to date and Messara is better placed than most to assess the chances of her extending that record on her first visit to England.
"It could be a possibility Ortensia could run in both races but only if something went wrong with Black Caviar, she had a setback or something, and she didn't run," said the trainer.
"Mate, Black Caviar is going to give your horses a whipping!
"She's obviously got to come over yet, which is a challenge in itself, but if she runs I think she'll give all of them a good hiding - the others will get wind burn as she goes past them. I just hope a few take her on."
Black Caviar, officially rated second in the world behind the mighty Frankel, is due to touch down in Britain next week.
