Races

Andrew Hawkins’ Royal Ascot Day 4 Preview

Posted on | Posted by Andrew Hawkins

Race 1

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing has a strong hand on Friday and I hope the two-tone blue can salute twice on Day 4. The first of their major chances is CACHET in the Albany Stakes for the two-year-old fillies. The daughter of Aclaim was imperious in winning a maiden by five lengths at Newmarket and she looks to have plenty of upside. The main danger is FLOTUS, who was also a big-margin maiden winner, her victory coming at Goodwood. She was green but very good.

Suggested Bet: Cachet WIN

Race 2

The second of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s major chances is TITLE in the King Edward VII Stakes. He is a very promising staying three-year-old who I would love to see in Australia. He is still learning his craft but I really think that the sky is the limit with him. ALENQUER defeated Derby winner Adayar in the Sandown Classic Trial, while TASMAN BAY – for a pair of New Zealand knights in owner Sir Peter Vela and trainer Sir Mark Todd – is also a contender.

Suggested Bet: Title WIN

Race 3

The Commonwealth Cup has been one of the great additions to the Royal Ascot meeting, giving three-year-old sprinters a chance to shine. The preference is for American visitor CAMPANELLE, who won the Queen Mary Stakes here at Ascot last year before taking out the G1 Prix Morny, defeating Coventry Stakes victor Nando Parrado. She is fresh into this and she looks very hard to beat. French raider SUESA is the primary danger, while MISS AMULET looks over the odds coming back to sprint trips.

Suggested Bet: Campanelle WIN

Race 4

Australian-owned OODNADATTA – a daughter of Australia – might be worth an each way play in what is an open edition of the Coronation Stakes. Racing in the colours of Bob Scarborough, whose best horses down under have included Marble Halls, Light Fantastic and Sleek Chassis, Oodnadatta is first-up after four runs at two. She was Group 1-placed in the Moyglare Stud Stakes behind SHALE and PRETTY GORGEOUS, who reoppose here, but she should be a far better three-year-old and should appreciate further later in the season. Pretty Gorgeous is the one to beat, just ahead of 1000 Guineas winner MOTHER EARTH.

Suggested Bet: Oodnadatta EACH WAY

Race 5

The Sandringham Stakes looks very wide open this year and it might be worth taking a chance with the well-weighted BEHELD. She has plenty of promise but is at a larger price than she should be as she is a free-wheeler and struggles to settle. She gets a hood for the first time though and, if it helps her to come back under David Egan, she’s a mighty, mighty chance here. SAMOOT and LUCID DREAMER look other chances.

Suggested Bet: Beheld EACH WAY

Race 6 

Another very open handicap, with this race potentially serving as a stepping stone to Australia. Despite being at the top of the weights, ALOUNAK looks to be over the odds. He was second to Fanny Logan in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes at the track and trip at last year’s Royal Ascot carnival, but has disappointed since. His rating has dropped 10 points since then and he can bounce back here for Andrew Balding. It will be very interesting to see Australian form tested here with FAVORITE MOON, who won the G3 Manion Cup at Rosehill in March (defeating Andrew Ramsden winner Realm Of Flowers). He looks a big price too.

Suggested Bet: Alounak EACH WAY

Race 7

The Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap is one of the newer additions to the card and so it’s difficult to assess this group of horses. Maybe it’s worth taking the triple figure odds about SHALAA ASKER, who comes here as a gelding for the first time. He’s right down in the weights and he could surprise at big odds – it won’t take a mammoth step forward for him to be competitive. WARRIOR BRAVE, with blinkers applied for the first time, is the primary threat.

Suggested Bet: Shalaa Asker EACH WAY

PLAY OF THE DAY

Race 3 – Quinella #13 and #18

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