Head relishing Caviar showdown

Freddie Head is confident that Moonlight Cloud (15/2 with bet365 to win at Royal Ascot) will give a good account of herself when she takes on Black Caviar in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

There are not too many who are looking beyond Black Caviar in the Group One contest over six furlongs a week on Saturday, with the unbeaten Australian mare installed as a strong 2/7 favourite with bet365.

The ground may be a little more testing than she is used to, but connections of Black Caviar are confident that she will make it 22 consecutive wins in his outing at Royal Ascot.

Trainer Peter Moody‘s racing manager Jeff O’Connor said:  “We are not here to be beaten.”

Despite the odds, Head is confident that his classy filly can cause a shock and insists that Black Caviar will not have it all her own way.

“I think six furlongs on softish ground should be fine for her. I like her very much. She’s a tiny filly with a big heart,” Head told At The Races.

“I never duck any challenge with my horses and we are trying once again. Black Caviar will need to be at her best to beat her.”

Strong Suit bounces back to brilliant best

A breathing option performed following his below-par effort behind Frankel in April’s Greenham Stakes has worked wonders for the Richard Hannon-trained String Suit as he demonstrated in the best possible fashion when returning to the track to land a surprise victory in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes on the second day of the stunning Royal Ascot fixture, writes Elliot Slater.

Winning at the world’s top racing fixture for the second year running, Strong Suit produced a tremendous performance to lower the colours of the strongly fancied favourite Codemaster by half a length, although he always looked to be in command of the situation once taking up the running just over a furlong from home under Richard Hughes. Even those concentrating on the York Ebor odds would have been impressed.

A high-class juvenile, as he proved when beating Elzaam in a tremendous tussle for last year’s Coventry Stakes, the son of Rahy then failed by only half a length to beat Zoffany in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh before finding the brilliant Dream Ahead just too hot to handle when second to David Simcock’s outstanding juvenile in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last October. When he finished last on his reappearance as a three-year-old in Frankel’s Greenham Stakes, most people assumed it was simply a case of another smart juvenile failing to train on at three, but Hannon and Hughes suspected there was another reason and a scan showed a serious obstruction to Strong Suit’s breathing, so he duly underwent what has proven to be a very successful operation.

One of the few horses in the yard who can work upsides the mighty Canford Cliffs, Strong Suit could next be seen in the Group 1 Prix Jaques le Marois at Deauville, (a race Hannon has yet to win), after which the pick of the top mile races across Europe could be coming the way of the rejuvenated three-year-old.

Witness the Star to watch, says O’Brien

Star Witness’s trainer Danny O’Brien says his preparations for Tuesday’s King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot have gone perfectly as he aims to become the next Australian horse to win the race (Star Witness 4/1f with bet365).

O’Brien’s charge is the leading fancy for the five-furlong race, which is one of the highlights on day one of the Royal Ascot meeting.

The sprinter is hoping to become the latest Australian horse to win the race after Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) all came out on top after travelling from down under.

O’Brien says his build-up to the race has gone without a hitch and talked up Star Witness’ chances of glory.

“He’s only raced twice since Melbourne Cup week in November and that has been by design because I was thinking that the races that would really suit him were up here,” he said.

“I’ve been over here before and got beaten but didn’t want to come back again unless I had one with a good chance and I think I’ve got one now.

“If Star Witness turns up in the form he was in for Melbourne Cup week, which I hope he is, then he is going to be hard to beat. He was super impressive in a barrier trial before getting on the plane out here.”

Other contenders for the King’s Stand Stakes, which has an ante-post field of 19, include Sole Power (7/1), Kingsgate Native (8/1), Bridgetown (11/1) and Overdose (10/1).

Askar team expecting big Gold Cup effort

With last year’s winner Rite of Passage still far from certain to take his chance in next Thursday’s Ascot Gold Cup, Marcus Tregoning is beginning to feel cautiously optimistic that his good stayer Askar Tau might run a very big race in the marathon contest and have definite place prospects.

The Dermot Weld-trained defending champion has suffered a training setback and it will be touch and go as to whether he will line up for the Group 1 two-and-a-half-mile contest, the highlight of the Ladies Day card. Although he is reported in the peak of good health, current favourite Fame And Glory will be going into uncharted territory having never raced beyond 14 furlongs, so proven stayers really could have a big opportunity to make a name for themselves in this year’s renewal. Anyone planning an Ascot bet should bear him in mind.

Askar Tau, a winner of 8 of his 21 career starts including the 2009 Doncaster Cup, has no stamina concerns and has already shown himself to be in good heart so far this term. After finishing a close third to The Betchworth Kid at Nottingham in early April he reappeared three weeks later to win the Group 3 Totepool Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in impressive fashion, bounding away from the useful stayer Akmal to record a two-and-a-half-length success. The Ascot horse betting indicates he has every chance of landing the contest.

Although he finished only sixth of the eight runners behind Duncan in the Group 2 Yorkshire couple a fortnight later, Tregoning’s gelded son of Montjeu was beaten less than five lengths in a race that probably didn’t play to his strengths. The Lambourn handler reports the six-year-old to be in great shape at the moment and as long as the forecast rain doesn’t impact too much on the underfoot conditions hopes are very high that the current 16/1 shot will be very much in the thick of the action.

The rich history of racing at Royal Ascot

Racing at Ascot was primarily the brainchild of Queen Anne who way back in 1711 saw the potential of an area that in those days was known as East Cote for racing. Situated not far from Windsor Castle she came across the area of open heath when out riding and it was that area of ground that became what we know today as Ascot racecourse.

Racing was inaugurated at Ascot on Saturday, August 11, 1711 with Her Majesty’s Plate, worth 100 guineas as the first event. The simple conditions were a little different to the detailed ones that we are conditioned to expect today and the race was open to any horse, mare or gelding over the age of six. Each horse was required to carry a weight of 12st and seven runners took part. Any similarity to the racing of today was purely coincidental as the horses were all English Hunters, very different in confirmation and speed to the thoroughbreds that race on the flat nowadays. The Royal Ascot 2011 betting reflects this.

However those anomalies didn’t stop racing at Ascot became very popular and, in 1813 Parliament passed an Act of Enclosure. This act ensured that Ascot Heath, although property of the crown, would be kept and used as a racecourse for the public in the future.

A further Act of Parliament a hundred years on from the Act of Enclosure saw the creation of the Ascot Authority which manages the racecourse. His Majesty’s Representative became Chairman of the Authority with the Clerk of the Course acting as secretary.

Royal Ascot is the focus of the whole season at the course each year and the racecourse looks very different now from the early “Royal Meetings” with the course having been redeveloped between 2005-6. That redevelopment changed the conformation of the straight track and saw some magnificent new stands and paddock area built. Those looking for Royal Ascot tips can now do so at one of the best courses in the world.

The first reference of a Royal Stand at Ascot Racecourse dates back to the 1790s, when a temporary stand was established during the Royal Meeting. Entrance to this exclusive area was strictly by invitation only from King George III himself. However, according to most records it was not officially named the Royal Enclosure until May 1845. The Royal Enclosure was originally established to provide the Royal Family and their selected guests with privacy, security and exclusivity, allowing them to enjoy their day in comfort and style.

Up until 1945 the only racing to take place at Ascot was the four day Royal Meeting. Since then the number of fixtures has steadily increased, with the introduction of the steeple chase and hurdle course in 1965, allowing National Hunt fixtures to be held during the winter months. Today Ascot stages 25 days of racing throughout the year, 16 Flat meetings between the months of May and October and 9 National Hunt meetings between November and April. The Royal Meeting, held in June is undoubtedly the most famous of these, where top class racing is combined with tradition, pageantry and style.

Theory looks a feasible Coronations Stakes candidate

Brian Meehan is eagerly looking ahead to next month’s Royal Ascot fixture, in particular to the Group 1 Coronation Stakes in which his Theysken’s Theory is now a serious contender following her impressive victory last week in the sportingbet Fillies Stakes at York.

The daughter of Bernardini proved herself a very smart performer last term and delighted connections in proving she has trained on well when handing out an easy three-and-a-quarter-length beating to Silvestris in the one mile Listed contest. Ridden by Martin Dwyer, the 15/8 favourite took up the running with two furlongs to travel and despite having one anxious moment when appearing to stumble just inside the final furlong, she proved far too good for her seven rivals in beating the Ralph Beckett-trained runner-up with plenty to spare. Those looking at the horse racing odds today will be very tempted by a punt on the horse.

Clocking a time only 0.14 seconds outside of standard, Theysken’s Theory was warmly received back in the winners’ enclosure by her trainer who declared immediately that she will now go straight to the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 15. The Andrew Rosen-owned filly has always been held in high regard by Meehan who sent her out to land a Newmarket maiden by five lengths (from subsequent 1000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting), before she followed up in the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood last August.

A one-and-a-half-length third to White Moonstone in the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Stakes at Ascot a month later was a respectable effort, before tackling the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ at Churchill Downs in early November, where she was probably a shade past her best for the season but still ran with credit in finishing sixth under Frankie Dettori to local star Awesome Feather.

After such a fine display on the Knavesmire and with more to come, it’s fair to assume that we’ll be hearing plenty more of Theysken’s Theory before the summer is out.

Banner to end O’Brien Ascot drought

This has, so far, been anything but a vintage Royal Ascot for Irish training legend Aidan O’Brien.

Despite the best efforts of Age of Aquarius in an epic Ascot Gold Cup yesterday, the Ballydoyle handler has yet to register a winner at this year’s fixture.

However, it could be a case of “all’s well that ends well” if Starspangledbanner lands Saturday’s feature Golden Jubilee Stakes.

Unaccustomed to making up the numbers at the major international racing fixtures, O’Brien will be keen for the ex-Australian star sprinter to prove his move from the other side of the planet was worthwhile.

Connections had expected the imposing son of Choisir to come on for his British debut at York last month and were understandably very pleased with the gelding showing fine speed until tiring inside the final furlong of the Group 2 Duke of York Stakes.

The horse is reported to have thrived since his effort on the Knavesmire and Starspangledbanner (8/1 to win the Golden Jubilee Stakes with Stan James) has been drawn fourth of the massive 24 runner field for the Group1 six furlong contest.

Earlier in the week that berth would have been considered a distinct disadvantage. However, possibly due to selective watering on Wednesday night, there appeared far less of a bias on Thursday and, with plenty of fast horses drawn around him, there is every reason to believe that Johnny Murtagh’s mount won’t be inconvenienced by his draw.

There are plenty of dangers in a race that has attracted runners from across the globe, with American challenger and recent Dubai winner Kinsale King likely to figure in the shake-up if adapting positively to his first experience of turf racing.

French raider Varenar, Hong Kong challenger Happy Zero and Fleeting Spirit, Main Aim and Prime Defender for the home team all have claims, but I reckon that Starspangledbanner for Ireland will be good enough, granted luck in-running.

Hannon talks up Shamwari Lodge bid

Richard Hannon is confident Shamwari Lodge (6/1 with bet365) can continue her recent impressive form with a good run in the Windsor Forest Stakes on the second day of Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

The filly is unbeaten in her three outings this season and a victory in a Group 3 race at the Curragh last time out has raised expectations she can get the better of the likes of rivals Strawberrydiaquiri and Antara (3/1 joint favourites) at Ascot.

He told his personal website: “Shamwari Lodge won a soft Group 3 in Ireland last time and will obviously have to step up again in the Group 2 Windsor Forest but she was only beaten two lengths by Tamazirte in this grade in the Prix Wildenstein in France last year and will certainly not be outclassed.”

Shamwari Lodge made the early running in her win at the Curragh but Hannon admits that the same tactics may not be adopted on Wednesday.

He added: “She improved again through the winter and is unbeaten in three this season but, though she made the running at the Curragh, she is better when dropped in.

“We learned our lesson when caught up in traffic problems a couple of times last summer so we won’t be sitting too far out of our ground.”

Salai supplemented to Coronation Stakes field

Wednesday’s feature Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot has been given even extra spice with the confirmation that last month’s narrow Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Anna Salai has been supplemented to the original field of runners.

Trained in France by Andre Fabre until late-April, the daughter of Dubawi was then transferred to the care of Newmarket based Mahmoud Al-Zarooni by Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin operation. The filly came agonisingly close to making a wining debut for her new trainer when beaten by a head by Bethrah at the Curragh.

After much consideration connections decided to pay the supplementary fee and allow Anna Salai to take her chance in what promises to be a thrilling mile event, with disqualified Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner Jacqueline Quest, Ballydoyle’s Lillie Langtry, Music Show, and the unexposed Tabassum and Chachamaidee, among a number of potential winners.

Anna Salai has every chance of making her presence felt, and Stan James currently make the horse 4/1 joint favourite with Lillie Langtry. Frankie Dettori will be in the saddle as Al Zarooni bids to land his first Group 1 race in Britain since his arrival on these shores in the spring having jumped to prominence with a number of high profile victories at the Dubai Carnival.

The dark horse of the race could be French raider Evading Tempete (12/1), a winner of a Group 3 in Italy on her most recent start. In April she ran Joanna, the devastating winner of a Group 2 at Chantilly last week, to half a length in the Prix Imprudence on softish ground at Maisons Laffite. Should the ground change and the rain arrive, it would not be at all beyond the bounds of possibility that Olivier Peslier’s filly might give her high profile opponents plenty to think about.

Jarvis colt can resist the O’Brien battalion in Coventry Stakes

Royal Ascot‘s Group 2 Coventry stakes is nearly always won by a very classy performer, and judging by his eye-catching winning debut, Michael Jarvis’s Elzaam could be the real deal.

Elzamm is the first European runner from his Australian sire Redoute’s Choice, who stands at a stud fee of in excess of £100,000, and he went into plenty of notebooks when putting up a professional display to win at the first time of asking at York in May. The horse beat Sir Reginald in a race that is already working out very wellin terms form after the runner-up and third place both won on subsequent outings.

Jarvis could barley hide his delight at the Knavesmire and immediately nominated the Coventry Stakes as the likely target, adding he had always believed Elzaam would be good enough to make it at Royal Ascot. Jarvis, normally an understated man, is not given to making brash declarations, so his confidence in Elzaam’s ability should be taken seriously.

However, he’ll have to be very good to beat off a particularly strong challenge from Ballydoyle, with Aidan O’Brien set to saddle the unbeaten pair of Samuel Morse and Zoffany, both of whom have barley turned a hair in winning two races apiece thus far. Samuel Morse (5/1 with Stan James) is generally the shorter of the O’Brien pair, with Zoffany available at odds of up to 6/1.

Ante-post market principle is Richard Hannon’s Strong Suit (5/2 in Stan James’ Royal Ascot odds), who looked very much the real deal when making a winning debut at Newbury last month. He’s from the yard that sent out Canford Cliffs, winner of this year’s Irish 2000 Guineas, to take the race 12 months ago so Strong Suit has to be respected.

At 5/1 though Elzaam looks an each-way ‘bet to nothing’ and can provide his popular Newmarket-based veteran handler with another big race success.