Two Coolmore-owned sprinting three-year-olds could be set to clash on Australian soil in the autumn.
While not nominating in which races local three-year-old Home Affairs and US-bred Golden Pal could face off in, it promises to be an enticing contest should it eventuate.
Home Affairs, by I Am Invincible, blitzed his rivals in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on the opening of the Melbourne Cup Carnival while over in the USA seven days later, Golden Pal, a son of Uncle Mo, took out the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.
Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier said the breeding giant could bring the Wesley Ward-trained sprinter down to Australia to test him in one or two races.
“The Americans think he’s the best sprinter in the world,” Magnier told RSN.
“If they think Golden Pal is the best sprinter in the world, maybe we need to bring him here to Australia, so we may bring Golden Pal down to Australia in the autumn and try him in one or two of the sprint races down here.
“It’s coming together and lining up well.”
Magnier said Ward was excited by the potential trip to Australia.
“There haven’t been too many US sprinters come to Australia, so it’s going to be something different that we are looking to do,” Magnier said.
“Both horses will probably go to Ascot in the (UK) summer after that.”
Home Affairs is enjoying a break before returning to the stable of Chris Waller to prepare for the big autumn sprints.
Magnier said Home Affairs had put on 35 kilos during his break.
“He’s got a great temperament and he put his head down there for a couple of weeks,” Magnier said.
“He’s back in the gym now and he’s getting ready for the autumn and Chris seems really happy.”