Royal Ascot Preview
June 17th 2008 06:25
The first day of the 2008 Royal Ascot carnival is only hours away, and time to take a look at our Australian representation.
Can he do it again?
(photo: BBC Sport)
Let's look at the pros and cons of the Australian contingent.
Haradasun, in the care of Aidan O'Brien, will run favourite (most likely) in The Queen Anne Stakes (1600m). His first run in England in the Lockinge was a run full of merit. Unsuited by the slow tempo, he was still going to put himself into a winning position before being stopped in his tracks when meeting with interference. O'Brien sent him into the Lockinge primarily because the horse was doing too well and needed a run before contesting the Queen Anne Stakes, his primary target in England. His value will soar (or at least justify his purchase price of $44 million, with Coolmore owning 50%) if he can win a European Group race.
His main danger most likely will be Tariq, who finished third in the Lockinge after (also) suffering interference. Sageburg and Darjina are two French mares trained by A De Royer-Dupre (trainer of Zarkava). Not much between both mares with Darjina being the top 3yo female miler last year and Sageburg running over longer trips. Cesare is very experienced and ran well in the Lockinge.
William Hill has the market for The Queen Anne Stakes:
Haradasun 5/1
Sageburg 5/1
Tariq 11/2
Cesare 6/1
Darjina 6/1
Haradasun may have been better suited by a less firm track, but he has been trained specifically for this race. Aidan O'Brien has entered two longshot runners to presumably act as pacemakers. A very even field (as evidenced by betting) with Haradsun a strong chance of success.
Takeover Target and Magnus.
Both contest the King's Stand Stakes (1000m) and a win by either is a distinct possibility. Takeover Target is the proven champion sprinter and even at (rising) 9 he proves durable and as competitive as ever. His Speedrating has not slipped from peaks attained each year. Perhaps he will be better suited by the 1200m of next Saturday's Golden Jubilee; or perhaps he will slipstream the speed in this and out-bulldog the others to the line. The favourite is 3 year old filly Fleeting Spirit who was outstanding as a 2 year old sprinter at this trip, and returned for her 3 year old campaign with a Group Two win at Haydock in course record time. The English won't hear of her being beaten. This is a big test against seasoned and tough, proven world-class sprinters. If she wins, then she is special.
Magnus beat home Takeover Target in this last year; and was narrowly defeated (and unlucky) when 2nd to him in Singapore last start. Always finds one better at Group One level - though when you look at the list of horses to have beaten him, it is no wonder, with Weekend Hussler and Miss Andretti ranked among the world's very best sprinters. I like him as a sire prospect and would be very pleased to see him add this European win to his racing resume.
William Hill has the market for The King's Stand Stakes:
Fleeting Spirit 9/4 (and firming)
Takeover Target 5/1
Kingsgate Native 13/2
Benbaum 8/1
Magnus 8/1
Dandy Man 11/1
I would believe that it will take a brilliant sprinter to defeat our two representatives. The English will have a champion sprinter if the filly Fleeting Spirit wins (as they expect).
The other race of most interest will be the St James's Palace Stakes which sees Henrythenavigator going around at 8/13 favourite. Last time on similar good/firm ground he thrashed subsequent Epsom Derby winner New Approach in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Danger could come from French horse Falco who impressed at Longchamp with a 3 length win last start. Aidan O'Brien has a 200/1 pacemaker entered in this race also to make sure that Henry gets the desired tempo. It will be a surprise if he loses.
Like World Cup Football or the Olympic Games, it is a treat to see representatives from Australia compete against the best. I only know the speedfigures for our Australian contingent, and these I know as capable of competing against the best. Haradsun has often been an enigma, but is now in the best hands possible (and no offence to Tony Vasil) with Aidan O'Brien an incomparable and successful trainer. He often teases, but we know the ability is there. So does Aidan. The two sprinters have rarely let us down, and would expect bold runs from them both.
You don't really need to bet to enjoy this.
Top hats and tails everyone. I see the Queen.
a video preview of the first day:
Takeover Target wins a thrilling King's Stand Stakes 2006
Can he do it again?
(photo: BBC Sport)
Let's look at the pros and cons of the Australian contingent.
Haradasun, in the care of Aidan O'Brien, will run favourite (most likely) in The Queen Anne Stakes (1600m). His first run in England in the Lockinge was a run full of merit. Unsuited by the slow tempo, he was still going to put himself into a winning position before being stopped in his tracks when meeting with interference. O'Brien sent him into the Lockinge primarily because the horse was doing too well and needed a run before contesting the Queen Anne Stakes, his primary target in England. His value will soar (or at least justify his purchase price of $44 million, with Coolmore owning 50%) if he can win a European Group race.
His main danger most likely will be Tariq, who finished third in the Lockinge after (also) suffering interference. Sageburg and Darjina are two French mares trained by A De Royer-Dupre (trainer of Zarkava). Not much between both mares with Darjina being the top 3yo female miler last year and Sageburg running over longer trips. Cesare is very experienced and ran well in the Lockinge.
William Hill has the market for The Queen Anne Stakes:
Haradasun 5/1
Sageburg 5/1
Tariq 11/2
Cesare 6/1
Darjina 6/1
Haradasun may have been better suited by a less firm track, but he has been trained specifically for this race. Aidan O'Brien has entered two longshot runners to presumably act as pacemakers. A very even field (as evidenced by betting) with Haradsun a strong chance of success.
Takeover Target and Magnus.
Both contest the King's Stand Stakes (1000m) and a win by either is a distinct possibility. Takeover Target is the proven champion sprinter and even at (rising) 9 he proves durable and as competitive as ever. His Speedrating has not slipped from peaks attained each year. Perhaps he will be better suited by the 1200m of next Saturday's Golden Jubilee; or perhaps he will slipstream the speed in this and out-bulldog the others to the line. The favourite is 3 year old filly Fleeting Spirit who was outstanding as a 2 year old sprinter at this trip, and returned for her 3 year old campaign with a Group Two win at Haydock in course record time. The English won't hear of her being beaten. This is a big test against seasoned and tough, proven world-class sprinters. If she wins, then she is special.
Magnus beat home Takeover Target in this last year; and was narrowly defeated (and unlucky) when 2nd to him in Singapore last start. Always finds one better at Group One level - though when you look at the list of horses to have beaten him, it is no wonder, with Weekend Hussler and Miss Andretti ranked among the world's very best sprinters. I like him as a sire prospect and would be very pleased to see him add this European win to his racing resume.
William Hill has the market for The King's Stand Stakes:
Fleeting Spirit 9/4 (and firming)
Takeover Target 5/1
Kingsgate Native 13/2
Benbaum 8/1
Magnus 8/1
Dandy Man 11/1
I would believe that it will take a brilliant sprinter to defeat our two representatives. The English will have a champion sprinter if the filly Fleeting Spirit wins (as they expect).
The other race of most interest will be the St James's Palace Stakes which sees Henrythenavigator going around at 8/13 favourite. Last time on similar good/firm ground he thrashed subsequent Epsom Derby winner New Approach in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Danger could come from French horse Falco who impressed at Longchamp with a 3 length win last start. Aidan O'Brien has a 200/1 pacemaker entered in this race also to make sure that Henry gets the desired tempo. It will be a surprise if he loses.
Like World Cup Football or the Olympic Games, it is a treat to see representatives from Australia compete against the best. I only know the speedfigures for our Australian contingent, and these I know as capable of competing against the best. Haradsun has often been an enigma, but is now in the best hands possible (and no offence to Tony Vasil) with Aidan O'Brien an incomparable and successful trainer. He often teases, but we know the ability is there. So does Aidan. The two sprinters have rarely let us down, and would expect bold runs from them both.
You don't really need to bet to enjoy this.
Top hats and tails everyone. I see the Queen.
a video preview of the first day:
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