Didn't want to steal any of my guest blogger's thunder, but since I'm heading to the track and most of Australia will be tuning in to watch the Black Caviar show, I feel duty bound to leave a few notes at least....
Chesham Stakes
Odd race, restricted to 2yo sired by horses which won over at least 1900m in their careers. The favourite is the impressive Move To Strike from the Jim Bolger stable in Ireland, who earlier in the week won the Coventry with Dawn Approach. He bolted in by 9L last time at The Curragh on soft ground. That form should make him exceptionally hard to beat here, but he will start quite short.
The value could be one of the Godolphin runners in Lovely Pass. Very impressive but incredibly green (immature) on debut at Lingfield when she won easily. De Sousa retains the ride, not necessarily because she is second string, possibly because his knowledge of the horse will be an asset. If she has learned a bit more about what to do in recent weeks, she will give this a shake at about 8 or even 10/1. Jalaa was impressive on debut at Leicester and is priced accordingly.
15 Lovely Pass - 4 Move To Strike - 3 Jalaa
Hardwicke Stakes
When I see classy stayers at Royal Ascot, I start thinking of Melbourne Cup prospects, and there are plenty in here. Aiken was very impressive winning at Chantilly last start, defeating Dunaden. It was a five horse race and he received 7lb from the Melbourne Cup winner in a muddling tempo. Six wins from seven is an impressive CV, but this is his toughest test yet. The Gosden/Buick combination was on fire on Friday, I can see him starting under the odds.
The connections of Dunaden are debating whether to aim him at the Arc or another Melbourne Cup so it's time for them to get serious. We know he takes a while to come to hand, and with a more genuine pace anticipated at level weights, I rate him as the one to beat.
Sea Moon will probably start favourite but I reckon he's unders as well. He was pushed to the line by Dandino on resuming at Goodwood in a listed race, and there are some seriously tough stayers he needs to beat here.
4 Dunaden - 1 Aiken - 7 Jakkalberry
Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Black Caviar followed by daylight, then something running third, it's as simple as that. This field is no better than the 'ordinary' G1/G2 fields she has been treating with contempt at home. Moonlit Garden and Society Rock are the best of the rest, but if you are looking at roughies for the trifecta or placepot, throw in Bogart and Soul as well for a bit of value. I hope something tries to serve it up to Black Caviar in this so that we can really see her unleash. It won't be 11L like Frankel, but six or seven will leave us salivating. It's a shame the track won't be dry as she really could have smashed the clock with some phenomenal sectionals. Victory 22 here we come.
11 Black Caviar ------------ 9 Soul - 13 Bogart
The Wokingham
Very, very hard race and I'll be swayed by Ronan Groome's preview on my blog, plus stable confidence from Jeremy Gask. Medicean Man loves the Ascot straight, was fourth behind Little Bridge in the King's Stand and gets his chance here. Stable apprentice Raul da Silva goes back on the horse and claims three pounds. He should position behind the speed nicely and fly home. Stablemate High Standing is a high-class sprinter with a few attitude issues but Jeremy seems to have them in hand at the moment. Scarf is a former Aussie sprinter-miler by the mighty Lohnro, he'll relish a race like this.
Seriously hard race, few don't have some chance of winning, and that's why it's double-figure odds the field.
11 Medicean Man - 13 Scarf - 18 High Standing - 2 Elusivity
No idea in the last two, awaiting previews from my experts...
Chesham Stakes
Odd race, restricted to 2yo sired by horses which won over at least 1900m in their careers. The favourite is the impressive Move To Strike from the Jim Bolger stable in Ireland, who earlier in the week won the Coventry with Dawn Approach. He bolted in by 9L last time at The Curragh on soft ground. That form should make him exceptionally hard to beat here, but he will start quite short.
The value could be one of the Godolphin runners in Lovely Pass. Very impressive but incredibly green (immature) on debut at Lingfield when she won easily. De Sousa retains the ride, not necessarily because she is second string, possibly because his knowledge of the horse will be an asset. If she has learned a bit more about what to do in recent weeks, she will give this a shake at about 8 or even 10/1. Jalaa was impressive on debut at Leicester and is priced accordingly.
15 Lovely Pass - 4 Move To Strike - 3 Jalaa
Hardwicke Stakes
When I see classy stayers at Royal Ascot, I start thinking of Melbourne Cup prospects, and there are plenty in here. Aiken was very impressive winning at Chantilly last start, defeating Dunaden. It was a five horse race and he received 7lb from the Melbourne Cup winner in a muddling tempo. Six wins from seven is an impressive CV, but this is his toughest test yet. The Gosden/Buick combination was on fire on Friday, I can see him starting under the odds.
The connections of Dunaden are debating whether to aim him at the Arc or another Melbourne Cup so it's time for them to get serious. We know he takes a while to come to hand, and with a more genuine pace anticipated at level weights, I rate him as the one to beat.
Sea Moon will probably start favourite but I reckon he's unders as well. He was pushed to the line by Dandino on resuming at Goodwood in a listed race, and there are some seriously tough stayers he needs to beat here.
4 Dunaden - 1 Aiken - 7 Jakkalberry
Diamond Jubilee Stakes
Black Caviar followed by daylight, then something running third, it's as simple as that. This field is no better than the 'ordinary' G1/G2 fields she has been treating with contempt at home. Moonlit Garden and Society Rock are the best of the rest, but if you are looking at roughies for the trifecta or placepot, throw in Bogart and Soul as well for a bit of value. I hope something tries to serve it up to Black Caviar in this so that we can really see her unleash. It won't be 11L like Frankel, but six or seven will leave us salivating. It's a shame the track won't be dry as she really could have smashed the clock with some phenomenal sectionals. Victory 22 here we come.
11 Black Caviar ------------ 9 Soul - 13 Bogart
The Wokingham
Very, very hard race and I'll be swayed by Ronan Groome's preview on my blog, plus stable confidence from Jeremy Gask. Medicean Man loves the Ascot straight, was fourth behind Little Bridge in the King's Stand and gets his chance here. Stable apprentice Raul da Silva goes back on the horse and claims three pounds. He should position behind the speed nicely and fly home. Stablemate High Standing is a high-class sprinter with a few attitude issues but Jeremy seems to have them in hand at the moment. Scarf is a former Aussie sprinter-miler by the mighty Lohnro, he'll relish a race like this.
Seriously hard race, few don't have some chance of winning, and that's why it's double-figure odds the field.
11 Medicean Man - 13 Scarf - 18 High Standing - 2 Elusivity
No idea in the last two, awaiting previews from my experts...
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