Lady Aurelia prepares for Nunthorpe with impressive Keeneland workout

Lady Aurelia tuned up for her clash with Battaash in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York later this month with her fastest gallop since her Royal Ascot heroics on Tuesday.

The daughter of Scat Daddy underwent her final gallop at Keeneland on Tuesday ahead of her journey on Wednesday to England for her date on the Knavesmire on August 25.

The impressive King’s Stand Stakes winner went through her paces on the firm turf course and began her work two lengths shy of Hootenanny before picking up her Grade One-winning stable companion to beat him by half a length at the line.

It was the fourth time Lady Aurelia had worked since her stunning victory at Royal Ascot in June. The time of the gallop was 1m.02s. Her previous workouts over the distance were 1m.02.20s on July 31, and 1m.04.20s on July 25. She worked over 4f in 52.40s on July 18.

Lady Aurelia is a best-priced 6-4 to prevail, while chief rival Battash is no bigger than 9-4.

Lady Aurelia beat Profitable by three lengths at Ascot on good to firm going and was receiving 9lb, while Baattaash beat last season’s King’s Stand winner by two and a quarter lengths in soft ground last week receiving 3lb in the King George Stakes at Goodwood. The filly will race of 9st 6lb, while the gelded Battaash will carry 3lbs more.

According to the British Horseracing Authority, both horses are now rated 122. Timeform rate Lady Aurelia on 140 to Battaash’s 137.

“In the context of the Goodwood race Battaash has produced the best performance this century – the previous best was a figure of 118 by Kingsgate Native in 2009,” Chris Nash, the BHA handicapper, explained in his blog.

“In terms of the sprinting division he has shown himself to be a real challenger to Lady Aurelia.

“Regular readers might recall me rating her 122+ after her victory in the King’s Stand and explaining that because she receives a 3lb fillies allowance a colt or gelding would have to run to a figure of 125 to match her.

“Maybe, just maybe, we have found one who can. Fingers crossed that both make it to York in top shape because if they do then an intriguing clash awaits.”