I think you will find itâs owned by âThe Crown Estateâ rather than Elizabeth Saxe-Coburg personally! And if you want to get into actual specifics it could be taken away from âThe Crown Estateâ by a mere penstroke from a Government minister (there existence and âruleâ over Ascot Racecourse is no more secure than that) as âThe Crown Estateâ was set up and is governed by an Act of Parliament. Also, its entire future depends on ministers being satisfied with the work it is doing and the profitability and integrity of its future (as does incidentally the gaffe where I work).
I think that would require another Act repealing the original wouldn't it? If that's the case the Queen herself would have to give her Royal Ascent. She's never withheld it but if you mess with her horses she might get the arse on and give Parliament the Royal finger.
Wes Ward brings three over: a Racing Post article AMERICAN trainer Wesley Ward, who stunned Royal Ascot with his double in 2009, is set to have three runners next week, all of them juveniles to be ridden by Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Joel Rosario. The Keeneland-based trainer, who specialises in two-year-olds, says he is bringing "three guns" to the royal meeting, where his chief hopes rest with maiden winner No Nay Never, set to run in the Norfolk, although he will also be entered for the Coventry as a precaution against an adverse weather forecast. "Any rain and I'm dead," said Ward. "But he's speedy and he's talented and I would love to go in the Norfolk. He is so exciting - he moves like a cat and he's a sweetheart to ride. I'm very excited about him." Ward also intends to run Sweet Emma Rose in the Queen Mary and Ogermeister in the Windsor Castle, the races he won in 2009 with Jealous Again and Strike The Tiger. After scoring at Keeneland in April, Sweet Emma Rose was only fourth at Pimlico. "She's a small filly, very, very fast," said Ward. "I sent her up to Pimlico for a stakes race but with Ascot in mind I hadn't trained her hard. "I didn't want to squeeze the lemon and thought I could get away with it. She was gasping afterwards but she's come back nicely and she did an outstanding breeze the other day. "Ogermeister is another talented horse and although he's bred for dirt, he's shown a particular affinity for grass," added Ward. "He won the only maiden race of the season so far for two-year-olds in New York." All three of Ward's team worked on the turf at Keeneland on Sunday. "There was a little moisture there, a little give in the ground," said Ward. "I'm relieved they all seemed to handle it because it might have been dry for 30 days at Ascot. "I'm very hopeful. I'm bringing three guns with No Nay Never the number one."
"I'm very hopeful. I'm bringing three guns with No Nay Never the number one." Doubtless his stable mate is "Wild rover"
this is a really good thread. There are 3 horses I am particularly interested in at the moment - the odds on favourites, Animal Kingdom and Magician on day 1 and then Estimate in the Ascot Gold Cup.
For me Animal Kingdom is a definite watch rather than bet. I think there's too many unanswered questions to mkae the price a bit too short. As regards Magician he's a very worthy favourite but there could be some very nice each way value to be had on the day.
The 3 year old mile division is completely up in the air at the moment with Dawn Approach failing so spectacularly in the Derby and Van Der Neer running poorly in Irelaland.
There’s a quote from Coral’s PR spokeman in the papers today re next Tuesday at the meet and he’s fearful of a ‘blood bath’ because, even at this stage, punters are lumping on doubles concerning Animal Kingdom and Magician. The firm are 4/5 both horses and both have been laid by Coral’s for some serious money.
I seem to remember (or rather struggle to forget) a very popular treble 2 years ago involving Frankel, Canford Cliffs and So you think. So easy this betting lark
What is serious money? If I could change anything about racing it would be TRANSPARENCY in the betting markets. How much money does it take to shift a horse from 5/2 to odds on in a week? How much of that is because of Farhh and Cityscape not running and how much of that is money coming for the beast? Personally, when a PR guy for one of the big bookies talks up a horse I take it with a rather large pinch of salt.
That's the beauty of Betfair (and Betdaq). You can see at a click how much is bet on each horse, and they set the market now anyway. Very few bookmakers are inclined to take a punt these days, they're just trading the numbers.
I like Stubbs in the Coventry. Won very impressively LTO and was obviously expected to scoot in as backed very heavily against a couple of horses that are very capable in Sacha Park and Club Wexford. 7/2 may seem short to some but to me it represents a fair bit of value and i'm very keen on the win.
