Royal Ascot returns this week, with the five-day carnival kicking off on Tuesday night (Australian time) and a high-class opening card ready to go.
Day 1 features three Group 1 contests, headlined by the St James’s Palace Stakes where unbeaten colt Bow Echo looks to extend his perfect record against a strong field.
The King Charles III Stakes also has a clear Australian flavour, with Asfoora back down the straight and joined by Bjorn Baker’s tough sprinter Overpass.
Check out our best bets for Royal Ascot Day 1 below!
NOTABLE SPEECH (6) finished 2.35 lengths fourth in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes last year but returns in much better form.
The Charles Appleby-trained entire was brilliant last start in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes where he let down powerfully after checking off heels to win by two lengths.
He’s a five-time Group 1 winner and loves this distance having won 10 from 19 starts.
A lack of speed cost him the race last year, but this year’s edition has enough pace to let him produce his best and I expect him to be hard to beat.
| 6. Notable Speech (1) J: W Buick 58kg 11×41T: C Appleby | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up 4th of 7 at Keeneland Turf in the G1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes on April 10 over 1609m, 1.75 len behind Zulu Kingdom with 56kg at $2.08. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 2 len at Newbury G1 Lockinge Stakes May 16 over 1600m defeating More Thunder carrying 58kg at $3. Looks the one to beat. | |||
Aiden O’Brien has won the Group 2 Coventry Stakes twice in the past three years and once again has a strong hand with favourite Confucious and Great Barrier Reef.
I’m going with the undefeated GREAT BARRIER REEF (10) who was awesome on debut at Curragh, producing a devastating turn of foot to blow his rivals away by six lengths.
He stepped up to this distance last start in the Group 3 Kilkea Castle Marble Hill Stakes and again let down powerfully to win by 1.25 lengths.
Currently at each way odds, he looks a great play.
| 10. Great Barrier Reef (3) J: Wayne Lordan 58.5kg 11T: Aidan O’brien | |||
| Yet to taste defeat in two starts. When well in the market on debut, favourite; scored a big 6 len win at Curragh April 19 over 1207m in soft going defeating Ischgl with 60.5kg at $1.40. Last start favourite; won by 1.3 len at Curragh G3 Marble Hill Stakes May 24 over 1207m defeating Carry The Flag with 59.5kg at $1.50. Key runner who holds a big chance. | |||
It may be national pride, but OVERPASS (9) looks well placed to continue Australia’s tremendous record in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding tuned up nicely at Royal Ascot recently and does his best work fresh having finished in the quinella in eight of 11 first-up races.
He was last seen finishing 2.12 lengths fourth in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes on a track that was too wet for his liking.
While it was four years ago, he’s no stranger to straight racing having won the Inglis Sprint at Flemington.
The multiple Group 1 winner will give a great sight on speed for Josh Parr.
| 9. Overpass (19) J: Joshua Parr 60.5kg 23x4xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 at Randwick in the G1 T J Smith on April 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 2 len behind Joliestar with 58.5kg at $16. First up last campaign 4th of 12 at Randwick in the G1 Everest on October 18 over 1200m, 1.5 len behind Ka Ying Rising with 58.5kg at $41. Holds big claims on UK debut. | |||
What an impressive animal BOW ECHO (1) is!
The George Boughey-trained colt could not have been more impressive last start when letting down powerfully to win the Group 1 2000 Guineas Stakes by 2.75 lengths with nearly six lengths back to third.
Gstaad was second that day and has since won the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas by three lengths to frank the form.
That was his fourth win from as many starts and reports suggest he has plenty more to come which doesn’t bode well for his rivals from last start.
He should get the run of the race and prove hard to hold out.
| 1. Bow Echo (2) J: Billy Loughnane 58kg 111×1T: George Boughey | |||
| Looking to keep his unbeaten record intact. Resumed last start won by 2.75 len at Newmarket (Rowley) G1 2000 Guineas May 2 over 1600m defeating Gstaad with 58kg at $5.50. Leading contender. | |||