Robert Smerdon would like to think of it as just another race, but getting fitted for a top hat and tails was a giveaway that Oakleigh Plate winner Shamal Wind's next start will be something special.
She will be the final leg of a group 1 trio in the next month for the stable when she steps onto racing's biggest stage at Royal Ascot.
"It is no different to going to Seymour or Caulfield, you have to have your horse right on the day," Smerdon said.
"It is a long way to go for a race, a 30-hour flight, and it is Royal Ascot, so it is all new to us, but we have [Shamal Wind] where we want her before getting on the plane."
But as a trainer and horseman Smerdon has more immediate concerns than the King Stand Stakes on June 16. In fact by then he could have two more group 1 winners in the stable if things go to plan for a couple of three-year-old fillies.
Ungrateful Ellen, third in the SA Classic at her last start, heads to Brisbane for Saturday's Queensland Oaks, while Lumosty, unbeaten in two runs this preparation, is second pick in the market for next week's $2 million Stradbroke Handicap.
Smerdon knows Ungrateful Ellen will need to go to a new level at Doomben, even though she was fifth in the Schweppes Oaks behind Delicacy and Fenway two runs back.
"She was unlucky in that race but this is another step up with Winx, Ballet Suite and Bohemian Lily. It is a much stronger Oaks but she is in there with a chance because she will stay," Smerdon said.
"She got that group placing last time and we would like to see her running on again, but given the strength of the race to run top-four would be great to get group 1 black type."
Lumosty sits 21st of 33 entries left in the Stradbroke after a pay up on Wednesday but is still a $7 second favourite behind Najoom at $4.80. The Gai Waterhouse-trained filly had a late entry fee paid for her on Wednesday and has secured a place in the field after her Fred Best Classic win last Saturday.
There will only be 16 starters in the Stradbroke on June 6 and Smerdon was prepared to miss the group 1 to keep his filly at home on Saturday. Lumosty won the Straight Six down the Flemington straight instead of chasing the exemption from the ballot in the Fred Best Classic.
"The Tiara has always been there for her but the Stradbroke is a good option as well," Smerdon said. "We'll just wait and see if we get a run but she has done actually what we have wanted this time in, winning at 1100 metres and 1200m.
"She is a very good sprinter-miler and she will be a chance in what whatever group 1 she gets into. If the weights go up in the Stradbroke, Dwayne Dunn will stick with her because she will have 53kg."
After the Stradbroke, Smerdon will head to England to finalise the preparation of Shamal Wind. Winning overseas is not foreign to Smerdon, who took jumper Zabenz to America in 2002 to win a grade 1 steeplechase. He has also taken horses to Hong Kong and Macau.
"The thing with Zabenz is he didn't miss a beat and that's what you need," Smerdon said. "We have seen plenty of good horses go overseas and get sick. Saintly and Denman are two that never got to the races.
"If Shamal Wind gets there in her best condition I think the track will suit her and she will be hard to beat. But it's a big if."
