The Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday is Britain’s most prestigious all-aged race in the Flat calendar and provides one of the first opportunities for the three-year-olds to meet their elders at the highest level. Race card (Racing Post) Oddschecker Timeform preview
Doesn't look much to trouble Postponed really ??? Wings Of Desire perhaps can make the frame. Some better judges than me saying Dartmouth could be up to it but not on what we've seen so far. Bustino may argue his case better. It's open and shut imo though, fave looks rock solid.
Disappointing that the Derby winner is not running, although this seems to be the trend now (especially with Irish horses who prevail at Epsom - preference seems to be the Irish Derby). Ascot and the BHA need to get their thinking caps on for this race as it is in danger of turning into a damp squib if the best 3YOs go elsewhere. Looks like Postponed has an excellent chance of becoming only the 3rd dual winner.
Change of date or substantial increase in prize money only options available. Will never compete with the Prix de L;Arc de Triomphe so a move to the end of season (Champion's Day) not an option. Inclusion in Royal Ascot; Hardwicke Stakes? I think a difficulty is the proximity of the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud and the Grand Prix de Paris, both at 1 1/2 miles (2400 metres). This reduces the French, particularly three year old, entries in what should be a showcase race. The narrative of the flat season acts against the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth stakes; is it possible to have a mid-season all age 'championship' race?
I've always felt the English classics need scheduling somewhat differently - for me both the Guineas and Derby meetings are a month too early. I would like to see the Guineas moved to early June and the Derby to early July. I'd then move the King George back to late August / early September as it would sit nicely with the Arc in terms of preparation. You'd probably still see the French horses going to Arc trials day but they don't come for the King George anyway.
A distinct possibility however a slight difficulty could be the Juddmonte International over the extended 10 furlongs at York in mid August.
Yeah, but there is already a clash with that race now (2-3 weeks after King George) and anyway I think true 12 furlong horses wouldn't tend to go there as the International is often won by speedier types stepping up from a mile (Rip Van Winkle, Frankel) although recent Derby winners Australia, Sea The Stars and Authorized have won it. I guess a lot depends on the perceived opposition.
A race that seems to have fallen quite a bit, in stature, these past few terms. Certainly its roll of honour over the last few years certainly doesn’t match its pomp, I say pomp, years. Can’t see beyond Postponed and my idea of the forecast would be Roger Varian’s beast followed home by The Highland Reel. If old boy Postponed does triumph I wonder if his owner will use any ‘air time’ in the winners enclosure to launch another tirade re Luca Cumani! Anyone see that after the Coronation Cup at Epsom. Truly astounding!
Just as it came through on ATR Racing Review. I thought I was going to be first with the news for once
Well that opens things up a bit but it's still a fairly uninspiring race for what used to be one of the big summer highlights. Dartmouth & Highland reel to re-run the finish of the Group 2 Hardwicke?
I was hoping to see Dartmouth or Wings Of Desire give Postponed a race to open up the Arc. Hope it's a truly run race in a decent time with one horse cruising into the lead and winning head in chest.. That would make the Arc interesting
Looks a poor race. I wanted to see Sir Isaac Newton get a crack at it but I guess forces conspired against him.
I'll be rooting for Second Step in this. It would be a great story for Cumani to win this having lost a third of his yard when Sheik Summatorother removed all his horses in 2015 including last year's winner.
The modern trend towards breeding for speed makes the ten furlong races like the Eclipse and the Juddmonte much more attractive propositions for the three year olds. Also, changes in racing trends mean that the modern day three year old middle distance horse has probably only had one or two juvenile races. After The Derby, winners usually go to the Irish Derby or the Eclipse but that has always been the case. The increased value of the big races in August and September now, plus the lure of Arc weekend, afford connections the opportunity to bypass Ascot’s July showpiece. Restructuring of the fixture list is very difficult because changing anything requires agreement amongst the European racing authorities, who naturally want to avoid fixture clashes with their own pattern races. That is why so few top races ever move more than a few days and upgrading one race usually means downgrading another. I will not be at Ascot this year, as I decided against buying an advance ticket after last year’s debacle. With Postponed out, the form pick appears to be The Queen’s Dartmouth, who does have form on fast ground as well as winning the Hardwicke last time over a soft course and distance. Can Wings of Desire uphold the family tradition by chasing the royal runner home (Eagle Top beaten by Postponed last term)?
