If you read the stories by Europe’s top racing writers this week, they will all allude to the fact this year’s Gr 1 King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000m, and to be run at Royal Ascot, is one of the best fields ever.
Period.
Runners are turning up from all over the pace with 6 different countries represented. None from Australia sadly.
So, we are betting on it.
Here’s our complete run down of all the horses engaged.
1. CALANDAGAN (FR)
Trainer: F-H Graffard • Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Comment: World-class 2400m horse; Dubai Sheema Classic winner; Japan Cup runner-up. He is, on paper, the obvious one to beat. Has superior staying talent than most horses on the planet. Travels strongly, accelerates brilliantly, and sustains a long run. His Sheema Classic win was top drawer, beating multiple Gr 1 winners with ease. Handles firm ground, stays the trip perfectly, and has tactical versatility. Only beaten when races are slowly run and turn into sprints — but even then he’s hard to stop. There will be sufficient speed here. Is the one they all must beat.
2. MASQUERADE BALL (JPN)
Trainer: Takahisa Tezuka • Jockey: Christophe Lemaire
Comment: Tenno Sho (Autumn) winner; Japan Cup placed. They are big races and therefore he demands respect. Japan’s biggest hope. In Japan stayers are trained to run fast for long periods of time and this bloke embraces that. He thrives on strong tempo and long sustained pressure. His Japan Cup run was most impressive, staying on bravely behind Calandagan. Not as explosive, but extremely tough and very honest. If they roll early, he becomes a major winning chance. If they poke along with no pace early, he may get left flat-footed.
3. BENVENUTO CELLINI (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien . Jockey: Ryan Moore
Comment: All British scribes rate this bloke very highly, from the imposing Ballydoyle yard of old Aiden. Top class 3yo who is progressive and who is a tough middle-distance colt. Has taken a big step forward this season and shapes as the best of the 3yos. He can peel off strong late sectionals, stays all day, and still has upside. Faces hardened older horses for the first time, which is always a test in the King George, but his profile fits the race historically. Is expected to box away in the top three.
4. KALPANA
Trainer: Andrew Balding . Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Powerful mare who is thereabouts at Gr 1 level often. Group 1 placed. Very reliable and rarely runs a bad race. Does her best work at this track and loves firm ground. Not quite at the level of the top two on raw ability, but she’s tough, genuine, and will be in the fight at the 300m. Needs probably for the top two hopes to be a little off their game in order to actually win, but her consistency makes her a place hope.
5. MINNIE HAUK (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien . Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Comment: Group 1 filly; strong closer; excellent turn of foot. A very classy filly many believe will be a superstar in time. But, the trip here against this field is a big ask. Does possess sharp acceleration and finishes very when produced late. The concern is the 2400m at full pressure — she’s more of a 2000m specialist — but if the race becomes tactical, she’s dangerous. Expect her to travel sweetly and loom, but the final 100m is the question.
6. GOLIATH (GER)
Trainer: F-H Graffard . Jockey: Maxime Guyon
Comment: Tough German Gr 1 winner who is very consistent in his homeland. Is rather dour and keeps finding. Suffers from stringhalt which makes him walk funny but it doesn’t effect him in a race. Not flashy, but extremely honest. Will stay all day and won’t be stopping. Lacks the class of Calandagan and Masquerade Ball, which means he may be off the pace with 300m to and not be able to catch the top three.
7. BAY CITY ROLLER (IRE)
Trainer: George Scott . Jockey: Tom Marquand
Comment: races well in weaker grade but this will test. Probably needs a head start to beat a few of these. Is a Group 2 winner and is honest but limited.
8. WURTTEMBERG (JPN)
Trainer: Hiroshi Miyamoto – Jockey: Yuga Kawada
Comment: Tenno Sho (Spring) runner-up; strong stayer. Another dour Japanese tough, genuine stayer who runs all day. Has a big engine. Loves the pace and tempo to be on throughout and will keep coming. Not as classy as Masquerade Ball, but very tough. If the race is strongly run, he could grind into the placings. If it’s tactical, he’ll be outsprinted.
9. LAMBOURN (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien . Jockey: Declan McDonogh
Comment: We know there is no team pace making…right, yeah, but I will bet this bloke leads here to ensure a genuine tempo for the Ballydoyle runners. Will go forward, roll along, and fade late. Probably best not to wager upon him.
10. ACTION (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien . Jockey: Dylan Browne-McMonagle
Comment: Another who would need about a 40m head start to have any hope in this.
TIPS: 1. MASQUERADE BALL, 2. Calandagan, 3. Goliath, 4. Benvenuto Cellini