Retirement plans for Kingsgate Native have been shelved

Retirement plans for Kingsgate Native have been shelved for the time being with the veteran sprinter being geared up to make his seasonal return at Newmarket next month.

Talk of retiring the 10-year-old had been mooted after his victory in a five-furlong conditions stakes race at Beverley on his final start last season.

But with the Robert Cowell-trained gelding still showing his old sparkle, he is now being lined up for a third shot at the Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes on May 2.

The last two renewals of the Group Three five-furlong contest have seen Kingsgate Native, who was initially retired to stud in 2008 before being brought back, finish second on both occasions behind Sole Power.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: "Kingsgate Native has wintered well. He seems in good heart and in great form. It was fantastic to see him win his final start last year as it did him the world of good.

"Mr and Mrs Thompson took the view that if they were happy that he retained his usual enthusiasm for racing that they would like to consider running him a couple more times, as there is plenty of time in due course for him to come to the stud and retire.

"All things being well we will have a look at the Palace House Stakes, which he has run so well in the last two seasons, and if we are delighted with that run we would go back to one of his favourite tracks, Haydock, for the Temple Stakes."