Races

Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview

Posted on | Posted by David Shortte

Royal Ascot Day 1 Preview

One of the most exciting and prestigious weeks of Racing on the Calendar gets underway this evening at Royal Ascot.

A Carnival which in recent years has seen the likes of Frankel and Black Caviar strutting their stuff again promises to unearth some potential Stars of world racing.

Australia have had a big part to play in this carnival over the last fifteen years with the likes of Miss Andretti, Choisir, Starspangledbanner, Takeover Target, Scenic Blast and Black Caviar all tasting success. Merchant Navy and Redkirk Warrior will be flying the flag for Australia on Saturday night in the Golden Jubilee.

Night One has thrown up some quality events and the clash between Lady Aurelia and Battaash in the King’s Stand Stakes should be one of the great battles of the night.

TABtouch customers are well catered for with an additional Superpick added for every day of the Royal Ascot Carnival. You can choose between boosted odds for the win or place or take money back for second.

Here is a look at the races throughout the evening.

Race One (Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes 1600 metres)

Rhododendron and Benbatl head up betting in a race of many chances.

I’ll go with Benbatl at each way odds ($5) to maintain the excellent record of Saeed bin Suroor in this race.

Race Two (Group 2 Coventry Stakes 1200 metres – 2 Year Olds)

Early betting has this narrowed down to two key prospects Calyx and Sergei Prokofiev.

I’ll stick with the son of Kingman, Calyx to prevail at $3.50 with Frankie Dettori in the saddle.

If you are looking to take wider novelties Vange, Advertise and The Irish Rover are all worth including.

Race Three (Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes 1000 metres)

Battaash and Lady Aurelia are highly fancied to be battling out this year’s edition of the Kings Stand Stakes.

I lean slightly towards Lady Aurelia who has been backed in from $3 into $2.70.

Blue Point, Kachy and Finsbury Square are horses I will be entertaining for the minor end of the prize.

Race Four (Group 1 St James Palace Stakes 1600 metres 3 Year Olds)

This is one of the more open editions of the St James Palace Stakes and a case can be made for most of these to figure in the finish.

Without Parole is a 3 Year Old son of Frankel who is undefeated after 3 starts and is the current $3.70 favourite for this event. He does face a steep step up in class for this however.

Romanised and US Navy Flag ran 1/2 in a recent Group 1 at the Curragh and come in with solid claims while Kings Shield, Gustaz Klimt and Gabr must also be respected.

Tricky affair and confidence levels for this race are low.

Race Five (Ascot Stakes Class 2 Handicap 4000 metres)

A field of 20 over the 4000 metres doesn’t exactly have me brimming with confidence heading into this event.

I will be having something small each way on Coeur De Lion at $7.50. Runner up at his last couple and should be fit heading into this.

Race Six (Listed Wolferton Stakes 2000 metres)

James McDonald will carry the hopes of plenty of Aussie punters heading into Race 6 aboard Mirage Dancer and I will be one of them.

Mirage Dancer heads into this event in great form at a similar level in recent starts at Goodwood and Ascot and only has to reproduce those efforts to be right in the mix here.

At $6.50 looks a solid each way play.

Others to consider include Laraaib and Sharja Bridge.

DAY 1 SPECIALS

Superpick : 3-10 Lady Aurelia (Money Back 2nd)

Other Bets of Note : 1-3 Benbatl each way / 2-7 Calyx / 6-4 Mirage Dancer each way.




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