The Perth-based sprinter showed he had the necessary speed to win over this 5f trip at the highest level when bursting through from last to first to land the Lightning Stakes at Flemington in January, and in recent times three winners of that race - Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006) and Miss Andretti (2007) - have gone on to double-up in the King's Stand Stakes.

All three of those past winners had also contested the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (form figures of 611) in the same year, so it's significant that Scenic Blast won that race on his latest start back in March, accounting for 21 rivals in the process. That was over 6f but we know he's just as good over 5f and, in a fast-run race (as this seems sure to be), on such a stiff track as Ascot, he looks a good bet at 4/1 (Ladbrokes) to become the fourth Aussie-trained winner since 2002.

The last British-trained winner was The Tatling in 2004, but the home challenge looks strong this year with both Amour Propre (7/1 Coral) and Fleeting Spirit in opposition. The first-named has won four of his five starts, including the Cornwallis Stakes over course and distance last October and a stylish win the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on his return last month. I'm loathe to knock him as he's a smashing prospect, but the Newmarket race wasn't that great in my opinion and the last winner to oblige here was Lochsong in 1994.

A bigger danger looks to be the flying filly Fleeting Spirit (5/1 William Hill), who you may remember was sent off a red-hot favourite for this race last year only to disappoint. However, it came to light shortly after that the stable's horses were not right, so you can safely forget that performance and judge her instead on her previous run in the Temple Stakes, in which she slammed a race-fit and re-opposing Borderlescott (8/1 bet365) by two lengths. On fast ground she won't be far away.

The race has a real international flavour as South Africa's Mythical Flight (25/1 bet365), the US-trained Cannonball (40/1 Stan James) and the ex-Greek Ialysos (14/1 Blue Square), now with Luca Cumani, are expected to be in the field, but the winner's prize looks destined for Australia (again).

Recommended Bet:

Scenic Blast 1pt @ 4/1 Ladbrokes