Sir Michael Stoute unsure on plans for King’s Fete; Dartmouth remains a Melbourne Cup chance

SIR Michael Stoute’s King’s Fete is guaranteed a Caulfield Cup run should he wish to come Down Under, but the veteran trainer isn’t sure if he wants to bring the stayer to Australia.

Dartmouth, seen here winning at Ascot, could be aimed at the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

KINGS Fete’s Australian spring plans remain unclear despite victory overnight in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2400m) at Goodwood.

Guaranteed a Caulfield Cup berth after Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute combined with Khalid Abdullah’s talented stayer, Kings Fete could be set for the Melbourne.

Prince Khalid’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: “I love the Caulfield Cup, we were a little bit unlucky with Snow Sky last year when he was fifth.

“The whole Australian scene is so brilliant, it is hard to take your eye off it but whether Prince Khalid wants to submit the horse there I don’t know, it’s up to him.

“There will be various different options for the horse depending on how far he could go.

“There are various foreign mile and a half races (2400m) including Group 1s to look at running him in.”

But when pressed on an Australian raid with Kings Fete, Stoute reputedly responded: “Er, no.”

Stoute is considering the Melbourne Cup for Dartmouth, which is owned by the Queen.

Originally published as Sir Michael Stoute unsure on plans for King’s Fete; Dartmouth remains a Melbourne Cup chance