Tuesday, 26 June 2012: The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot is next on the agenda for Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden following his unlucky second in Saturday's Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
 | Dunaden
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Connections were keen to find out whether the Australian and Hoing Kong G1 winner could be competitive at the highest level over a mile and a half in Europe and answered the call with his second to Sea Moon when he was badly held up for clear running in the straight.
David Redvers, racing manager for owners Pearl Bloodstock, said: "Initially I wondered what on earth had happened, but having sat down and watched the race in the cold light of day, I don't think there was anything Christophe could have done. It was just bad luck."
"I don't think he could have done anything differently. He was badly hindered by Memphis Tennessee coming back into him and then to make matters worse, he got stopped on his second run.
"I think it's hard to argue a case that he wouldn't have won.
"We wanted to find out if he could match up with the best over a mile and a half and I think we found out categorically that he can.
"The King George remains his big target."
Redvers is also racing manager for Qatar Racing and there were plenty of encouraging performances for horses that run under that banner at the Royal meeting.
The Robert Cowell-trained four-year-old Spirit Quartz ran the race of his life to finish fifth in Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes.
"I was delighted with Spirit Quartz. He ran a fantastic race and he's an improving horse," Redvers said.
"Robert is doing a magnificent job with him and he'll probably go for the King George Stakes at Goodwood next.
"After that, he could make up into a horse for the Prix de l'Abbaye."
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