Roger Charlton believes Bated Breath could put in an even better performance at Royal Ascot than he did when smashing the track record in Saturday's Temple Stakes at Haydock.
The five-year-old was narrowly denied in three Group Ones over six furlongs last season and with the incredible Australian mare Black Caviar heading for the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting, Charlton was keen to test his charge over five furlongs on Merseyside.
Bated Breath came through the examination with flying colours as he showed tremendous pace en-route to beating last year's winner Sole Power and the King's Stand Stakes is now his most likely next objective.
"He's fine this morning and we're all very pleased with him," said Charlton.
"There was quite a lot of pressure as we did need to win a Group race with him at some stage, so at least we've got that box ticked.
"I was very impressed by the speed he showed. He has enough speed to lead the fastest horses around and two furlongs down the others were flat to the boards.
"In the past we have trained him to run over six furlongs and getting him to settle and other than the Nunthorpe, when he was drawn on the wrong side, we haven't gone down the five-furlong avenue until yesterday.
"That was a question going into the race, but he answered it well and as long as the owner is happy, the King's Stand must be considered as his next option.
"If we can get a fast-run race at Ascot and manage to get a lead, I think there is every chance we might see an even better horse."
Bated Breath remains second in the betting behind the unbeaten Black Caviar for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and while the King's Stand is now his primary target, Charlton is not completely ruling out running in both races.
"It's an impossible question to answer at this stage," said the trainer.
"We're just going to have to wait until nearer the time. Nothing is impossible."
