3 minute read
With 114 declared runners for Tuesday’s (17 June) hotly contested opening day at Royal Ascot, only Field Of Gold in the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes (1600m) – third of the afternoon’s Group 1 contests – can be rated as a very likely winner.
The striking John & Thady Gosden-trained grey now appears to be Europe's best three-year-old miler after his scintillating victory under Colin Keane in last month's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1600m). He posted impressive sectional times then and, not only that, Ascot is a stiffer track than the Curragh which plays to his strengths.
Keane echoes that view, commenting: "He was very good at the Curragh and the stiff mile at Ascot will suit him well. He is growing up and is also very relaxed and straightforward."
Ireland's six-time champion jockey Keane – having recently landed the prestigious number one job with powerhouse operation Juddmonte – will be aware that confirmed hold-up horses like Field Of Gold historically don't have life easy at Ascot, especially on the round course and, there was plenty of evidence of that at the Royal meeting last year.
William Buick, whose mount Ruling Court stole first run on Field Of Gold to win last month's G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Newmarket, will be angling to exploit any such issues, much like Ryan Moore, who delivered Henri Matisse right on time to win the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) at ParisLongchamp the following weekend.
Henri Matisse's outstanding trainer, Aidan O'Brien, adds to the tactical conundrum of the St James's Palace Stakes, commenting: "Henri Matisse doesn't like to be in front too soon so Ryan will be looking to do something similar at Ascot."
Tactical nous will also not have escaped the notice of some of the world's top jockeys in the opening G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m). Australian-based star jockeys James McDonald and Mark Zahra have been drafted in to partner Carl Spackler and Docklands, respectively. Christophe Soumillon – fresh from his victory on Gezora in Sunday's (15 June) G1 Prix de Diane (2100m) at Chantilly – partners the fast-improving Sardinian Warrior.
Rosallion (Sean Levey) is the likely Queen Anne Stakes favourite, who delivered a stunning performance when winning the St James's Palace Stakes on this day last year. He re-encounters Lead Artist (Colin Keane) and Dancing Gemini (Kieran Shoemark), who finished just ahead of him in the G1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m) as well as Notable Speech (William Buick) who finished just behind him at Newbury last month.
Speculation surrounds which of these four hugely talented milers – Rosallion, Lead Artist, Dancing Gemini and Notable Speech – will rise to the challenge. Much conjecture suggests that it could be Notable Speech, winner of the 2024 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, who can improve second-up after his effort in the Lockinge Stakes for Charlie Appleby.
