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Shea Shea carries hopes of South Africa in King's Stand

Shea Shea will be tough to upset if he brings his "A" game (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club) If America can pull off a landmark victory in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot's Tuesday opener, it could be South Africa's turn just over half an hour later in the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes, with Shea Shea out to reward the pioneering spirit of his trainer Mike de Kock. While de Kock's focus on the international stage tends to center around Dubai, he has made a significant impact in Hong Kong and the United Stakes, and even sent Asiatic Boy to be fourth in the 2007 Sussex Stakes. Shea Shea represents his best chance of breaking through at Royal Ascot, having broken Meydan's track record twice, most recently in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night which compounded the impression he created when covering the five furlongs of Turffontein in :56.50 in last April's Computaform Sprint. "It's not a pipe-dream -- he has run some very quick times," de Kock said. "I believe he's the real deal and he has produced world-class form. It is never straightforward with all the traveling. It is difficult for us to compete because of quarantine regulations -- it is not a level playing field regarding South African participation. Winning would not just be important to us, but it would help the South African horse internationally. There is the weight and the pressure of a nation on him. We will be doing our best and he will be doing his best -- if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. "He's maintained his coat, which is nice as it's been a bit chilly here and he should be cycling into a winter state being a Southern Hemisphere horse. Ascot will be different to what he's used to, but he has been to the July Course to work and up the Long Hill gallop, so he has had a good go at undulations. I think the uphill finish at Ascot might suit him because he likes to get going late."

Unlike South Africa, Australia has enjoyed multiple successes at this meeting in recent times and four have come in this contest in the last 10 years. Danny O'Brien has shipped in the Newmarket Handicap winner Shamexpress and he has been happy with how the youngster has handled the ordeal so far.

"He took the trip really well, which is obviously the big thing," O'Brien explained. "We had a barrier trial at Flemington and the horse who finished second then, Linton, went on to win a Group 1 sprint, the Stradbroke Handicap, so Shamexpress's form leaving Australia was very good. He is a horse I have always had a good opinion of, but it was his win in the Newmarket H. which sealed the trip to Royal Ascot.

"I think Shamexpress is coming here at the right time of his career -- he is nowhere near as seasoned as some of the Australian horses who have run at Royal Ascot such as Takeover Target and Black Caviar, because he is only a three-year-old. This horse is beautifully actioned and I don't think the track will be a problem.

"It would be fantastic to win at Royal Ascot. We were second with Star Witness and it is a great week of racing. Being that close and not winning has left me with the desire to come back here and succeed."

Last year's Prix Morny, Middle Park and Norfolk Stakes scorer Reckless Abandon lost his unbeaten record on his sophomore bow when third behind the past Golden Jubilee Stakes winner Kingsgate Native and Swiss Spirit in the Temple Stakes at Haydock May 25, but trainer Clive Cox can only see positives in that performance.

"We've got that run under our belt now, which I think is important, especially from a sprinter's point of view," Cox told PA Sport. "From a sprinting mentality, more than physically, it does them the world of good. I'm really pleased that's put him on his game. From the end of June and July onwards, three-year-olds get a bit of help with weight-for-age from their elders, but there aren't that many opportunities early in the year. For that reason, the Temple was the logical place to go and he acquitted himself really well."

Swiss Spirit, who beat Kingsgate Native in the World Trophy over five furlongs at Newbury in September when under the care of David Elsworth, looked unlucky not to confirm that form in the Temple on his second start for the John Gosden stable and jockey William Buick is hoping he can make his presence felt.

"With due deference to Shea Shea and Shamexpress, I think there might be a little lack of depth to the King's Stand and I am fancying a big run," Buick said. "This is a progressive horse and (he) stepped up considerably last time over five at Haydock. I have no doubt in my mind that we would have won but for being quite badly bumped at the start and lost valuable momentum. The only factor that could be better is the draw (in 17), because I'd like to have been nearer to where I think the pace might be, but I think I have the right horse to overcome that."

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