Choreographer Can Put Rivals In A Spin
Friday, at Royal Ascot, begins with the G3 Albany Stakes (2.30). Wesley Ward has certainly caused a stir, at this year’s Festival and he might do so again with Create A Dream. The Oasis Dream filly has already notched on this track and made-all to do so. Aidan O’Brien’s Cuff is preferred, however, having won in Listed company at Naas and with 3 races already under her belt.
O’Brien also has a very strong runner, in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes (3.05). Beacon Rock is a G3 winner, but had previously failed 4 times to secure black-type and Roger Varian’s inmate looks more interesting. Choreographer only finished 7th in the G2 Dante Stakes, after shedding his maiden tag on debut, but suffered terrible luck in running after starting the race too keenly. It was a bad day at the office, which this smart-looking Sea The Stars colt can put behind him this afternoon.
Bookmakers Face A Quiet Riot
The heavily-backed Quiet Reflection steps up to G1 company for the first time, in the Commonwealth Cup (3.40), but connections should have little to fear. The Showcasing filly was utterly dominant, when trouncing the likes of Gifted Master, La Rioja and Buratino, in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes. There still looks to be plenty of scope for improvement. Both Washington DC and Buratino look decent each-way value.
The field for this year’s renewal of the G1 Coronation Stakes can hardly be described as vintage and it’s somewhat surprising that Aidan O’Brien hasn’t called upon a better filly than Alice Springs to represent him here (even with the conditions being as they are). Nathra is the blog’s somewhat unenthusiastic pick. She finished 2nd in both the G1 Dubai Fillies Mile and the G1 D’essai Des Pouliches, with the French race contested over soft ground. Nathra’s limitations were exposed in the 1,000 Guineas, but this looks a much-weaker contest.
Stick With Sir Michael Stoute
The wide-open Duke of Edinburgh Stakes will leave more than a few punters scratching their heads, but Sir Michael Stoute has an excellent record in this race. He’s trained 3 of the last 5 winners and Kings Fete performed reasonably well on his reappearance at Goodwood (which came after more than 20 months off the track). Willie Mullins’ Ivan Grozny is one for each-way backers to consider.
Victory for Daphne, with Pat Cosgrave wearing the royal colours, in the Listed Queen’s Vase would bring the house down at Royal Ascot but there seems little to suggest Her Majesty will be celebrating after this renewal. Landofhopeandglory has been disappointing in black-type affairs and Ebediyan is-much preferred, despite stepping-up in class. Both of the Raven’s Pass’ colt’s victories have come on yielding Irish ground and he can strike for Dermot Weld, this afternoon.
Heaps More Action, On A Hugely Busy Friday!
There’s plenty more UK action, meetings at Ayr, Goodwood, Market Rasen, Newmarket and Redcar. There’s also an evening meeting at Limerick, where none of the already-raced 2-year-olds have shown a great deal and Lost In Silence can win on debut in the 6.35. Down Royal also has racing taking place.
France has meetings at Deauville and also Toulouse, where Academic goes for Jean-Claude Rouget in the Listed Prix du Languedoc. South African racing fans can look forward to a busy Friday, with good cards at both Greyville and Fairview.
Today’s Picks
ASCOT
2.30 Cuff
3.05 Choreographer
3.40 Quiet Reflection
4.20 Nathra
5.00 King’s Fete
5.35 Ebediyan
AYR
6.30 Hussar Ballad
7.05 Apres Midi
7.40 Surewecan
8.10 Odeon
8.45 Gamesome
9.15 Renfrew Street
GOODWOOD
6.10 Pinstripe
6.45 Regal Parade
7.15 Alyday
7.50 Monotype
8.25 Peloponnese
8.55 Caitie
MARKET RASEN
1.40 Milrow
2.10 Il Presidente
2.45 Our Three Sons
3.20 Party Rock
3.55 Indian Stream
4.35 Grand Gigolo
5.10 Mr Monochrome
NEWMARKET
5.50 Tommy’s Secret
6.20 Torch
6.55 Capital City
7.30 Blackout
8.00 Brazos
8.35 Natural Scenery
9.05 Geno
REDCAR
1.50 Springforth
2.20 Istanbul Bey
2.55 Viserion
3.30 Rousayan
4.05 Dune Dancer
4.45 Almuhalab
5.20 Rustique
5.55 Bromley Cross
DOWN ROYAL
5.45 Listen Dear
6.15 Rapid Fritz
6.50 Clarcam
7.20 Ardview Boy
7.55 Beau Et Sublime
8.30 Elegant Statesman
9.00 Our Valentina
LIMERICK
5.30 Touch Of Frost
6.05 Liberty Jack
6.35 Lost In Silence
7.10 Daredevil Day
7.45 Remarkable Lady
8.15 Fast On
8.50 Prickly
DEAUVILLE
R1 Stormy Ride
R2 Samba Pa Ti
R3 The Captain
R4 Red Onion
R5 Lugana
R6 Brametot
R7 Rainbow Vale
R8 Madencia
TOULOUSE
R1 Spain Burg
R2 Academic
R3 Kenzo
R4 Saint Nom
R5 Newlight
R6 Speed Road
R7 Sweet Revenge
R8 Diamonie
GREYVILLE
R1 Announcing Rain
R2 Rivarine
R3 Danza
R4 Roy’s Mambo
R5 Ichkeria
R6 Super Guppy
R7 Trip To Heaven
R8 Vogue Idea
R9 Scots Party
FAIRVIEW
R1 New Deal
R2 Nordic Wind
R3 Golden Run
R4 Silver Dream
R5 Big Bucks
R6 Crescendo
R7 Happy Lion
R8 Just Lucky
