Wednesday 15th June 2022
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
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Kicking things off on the second day of the Royal Meeting is the 2:30 again which this time is the Queen Mary Stakes over five furlongs. It’s another Wesley Ward speedster at the top of the betting here in Love Reigns that could take some pegging back, however, the one I’ve gone for is Dramatised who’s currently a 4/1 chance for Karl Burke, and Danny Tudhope. Her only start to date came at Newmarket back in April where she was mightily impressive, dismantling a field by the best part of four lengths. There is likely a considerable amount of improvement to come from her as well despite such an impressive display, and as a result I think she could be a very exciting prospect.
Next up is the 3:05 which is the Queen’s Vase which is a Group 2 event that’s contested over a distance of a mile and six furlongs. I think this can go to the Roger Varian trained Eldar Eldarov who’s currently a best price of 9/2 under David Egan. He made a big impression on his debut last autumn at Nottingham when he bolted up by the best part of five lengths. Since then, he made his return to the track at Newcastle last month and followed up his debut success with another comfortable victory. There is likely a lot more to come from him and he looks to have a very bright future.
The 3:40 takes centre-stage next which is the first Group 1 of the day in the form of the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. In this particular affair, I think it’s all about the Sir Michael Stoute trained Bay Bridge who’s a 5/4 chance at the top of the market. He’s set to be ridden once again by Ryan Moore and he looks a typical improver for the yard, when last seen in May he hacked up in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown, handing a beating out to the smart Mostahdaf in second. He’s won his last five starts and whilst this is clearly his biggest test to date he could well have a lot more to give yet.
We move onto Fillies & Mares action at 4:20 as the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes takes place over a mile. This is an extremely competitive affair, with not much separating those at the top of the betting at all, I’ve sided with Bashkirova though at 5/1 for the team of William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She was last seen just eleven days ago when winning on Derby Day at Epsom as she took Group 3 spoils in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes. She looks to be a highly progressive sort and if building on her Epsom success from last time out she could prove to be a serious player here.
It’s time for the first big handicap of the day at 5:00 as the Royal Hunt Cup takes place over a mile. The race is a heritage handicap that always attracts a huge field and 30 runners look set to take their place once again. I’m taking a chance on the Charlie Hills trained Dark Shift who’s currently a 9/1 chance and is the mount of the very talented Australian rider James McDonald. I’ve decided to try and play it as safe as I can here with this punt as he’s a course and distance winner who seems to really enjoy himself around here. He’s won twice at the track already and bounced back to form with success at Nottingham when he was last seen which was last month, he’s on a career-high mark but he could still have more to offer as he’s only a four-year-old.
The 5:35 is the Windsor Castle Stakes which is a listed event that’s for two-year-old’s-class and contested over five furlongs. As you’d expect, this is another extremely competitive race and it’s headed by another potential Ballydoyle star in Little Big Bear. He could well prove to be too good, but at the current prices, I’m taking a chance on the Roger Varian trained Bolt Action who’s currently a 10/1 chance and is the mount of David Egan. He’s a colt by Mill Reef winner Kessaar and made a seriously impressive start to his racing career when winning by four lengths at Leicester on debut at the back end of May. It remains to be seen just how good that form is, however, he cost £160,000 at the breeze-up and I think he could prove to be a very smart two-year-old.
The final race of the day comes up at 6:10 again and it’s the Kensington Palace Stakes which is a handicap for Fillies & Mares. The race is contested over a mile and is another ferociously competitive affair of which I’ve sided with Improvised at 9/1 for the combination of David O’Meara and Kieran Shoemark. She’s progressed with each run so far this term and was most recently seen finishing second of twelve in a listed race at Musselburgh. This is far from a simple assignment for her and she’ll need to be at her best, however, I’ll take a chance on her coming on again from that latest run and putting her best foot forward.
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