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Ward confirms next starts for Everest possibles

Darryl Sherer - Monday July 31

Trainer Wesley Ward has confirmed the next races for Lady Aurelia and Bound For Nowhere, his two possible runners in The Everest later this year.

Wesley Ward. Photo: Ascot Racecourse

Lady Aurelia is to contest the £350,000 Group I Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs at York on August 25 while Bound For Nowhere will run in Sunday's Group I Prix Maurice de Gheest over the straight 1300m at Deauville.

Bound For Nowhere finished fourth last time out behind Caravaggio in the Group I Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and Ward told the Sporting Life he had considered another return to the UK for the three-year-old.

"We looked at the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood for him, but we've decided to go to Deauville," Ward added.

"His latest work was a stunner. He worked with Undrafted and went away from him really well. I'm looking forward to seeing him run in France."

Lady Aurelia has not raced since going close to Miss Andretti's race record in winning the Group I King's Stand Stakes by three lengths at Royal Ascot in June and Ward said the three-year-old filly has thrived since.

"She did some beautiful work on Tuesday, she's got a couple more works to go and we'll be ready," Ward said.

"She came back from Ascot in unbelievable shape and we're really happy with her."

Lady Aurelia has won five of her six starts including the Group II Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot last year on soft going and Ward said he is not concerned if the ground comes up soft at the Knavesmire.

"We'll have to wait and see what the ground is going to be like, but she won nicely in Ascot last year when the ground was wet, so I don't see it as a big problem," Ward said.

"Either way we'll be there to give it a shot."

Sportsbet has installed Lady Aurelia its $1.72 favourite for the Nunthorpe Stakes. She is available at $11 for The Everest at Randwick on October 14 with Bound For Nowhere a $26 chance.

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