Royal Ascot Day 3 Preview
Italian jockey Frankie Dettori celebrates on his horse Stradivarius after winning the Gold Cup on the third day of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, in Ascot, England, Thursday June 20, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
After the epic clash between Daryz and Ombudsman, Day 3 of the Royal Ascot carnival promises another mouthwatering showdown. This time, the definitive battle takes place in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup, where the rising star Scandinavia collides with the seasoned champion Trawlerman. Elsewhere on the card, Epsom Oaks runner-up Legacy Link aims to go one better in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, while Aidan O’Brien holds a formidable hand in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes with the highly fancied duo, Endorsement and Italy.
Race 4: Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1)
Distance: 2 mile 4 furlongs (4,014m) | Conditions: 4yo+ | Post Time: 1:15am AEST
For the third consecutive year, Trawlerman lines up in the Ascot Gold Cup. Having finished a commendable second in 2024, he returned last year to claim a brilliant seven-length victory. In his previous two campaigns, Trawlerman had the benefit of a preparatory run, however, this year he attempts the monumental task first-up from a spell.
The young stayer on the rise over the past year has been Scandinavia. The Irish galloper has won five races in a row, including the Group 1 Goodwood Cup over two miles and the St Leger Stakes. While the 4,014-metre trip represents unchartered territory for the four-year-old, his relentless racing style suggests the extra distance will not pose an issue. So far this year he has won two from two, extending his unbeaten run to five races. Aidan O’Brien has been particularly successful in this race with four-year-olds, in 2022 he trained Kyprios to victory, along with Order of St George in 2016 and Leading Light in 2014.
Scandinavia’s primary threat appears to be the Roger Varian-trained Rahiebb. Also a four-year-old, Rahiebb was beaten just a neck by Scandinavia in last season's St Leger. He made a superb seasonal reappearance at York in May, scoring comfortably by two lengths over 2,816 metres. Like his market rival, his capacity to see out this extreme distance is the solitary question mark.
Australian racing enthusiasts will recognise Al Riffa and Further, both of whom featured in last year's Melbourne Cup. Al Riffa failed to justify favoritism at Flemington, finishing sixth, while the outsider Further crossed the line in 11th. Neither has found the winner's enclosure since. Al Riffa has been well-travelled, finishing fourth in the Hong Kong Vase before heading to Meydan for the Dubai Gold Cup. Following a seven-week freshen-up, the Joseph O’Brien-trained galloper caught the eye with a close third in France. Conversely, Further was spelled immediately after his Melbourne Cup exertions. He has looked plain since returning, finishing fourth behind Rahiebb at York before beating just two runners home in the Henry II Stakes.
Selections:
#10. Scandinavia
#3. Caballo de Mar
#6. Trawlerman
#2. Al Riffa
Race 3: Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2)
Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs (2,414m) | Conditions: 3yoF | Post Time: 12:40am AEST
A fascinating contest for the three-year-old fillies, featuring Oaks runner up Legacy Link. The beautifully bred daughter of Dubawi backs up just 13 days after her classic exploits at Epsom. She checks every box for this assignment, bringing the classest form to the table alongside proven stamina at the distance. Legacy Link will have to jump from barrier one, hopefully jockey Colin Keane can extricate her off the fence and keep her out of trouble.
The market rates the French raider Gilded Prize as the chief danger. She protected an unbeaten record before faltering on a soft track in the Prix Saint-Alary, finishing fifth in a six-horse field. Reverting to a firmer surface and stepping up in trip, the French filly is highly eligible to bounce back. Though she has arguably been beating lesser opposition in France, she commands utmost respect.
Beyond the clear-cut top two, a host of progressive fillies transition from Listed level. Keep a watchful eye on Earth Shot and Warriors Whisper. Earth Shot was cruelly denied on the line when second to Inis Mor in the Height of Fashion Stakes and profiles as a filly who will relish the 2,400 metres. Meanwhile, Warriors Whisper finished a commendable second to Gilded Prize in the Group 3 Prix Cléopâtre, she remains unseen since that April run but looks structurally built for this distance.
Selections:
#9. Legacy Link
#5. Gilded Prize
#12. Warriors Whisper
#4. Earth Shot
Race 6: Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3)
Distance: 1 mile 2 furlongs (2,004m) | Conditions: 3yoC/G | Post Time: 2:35am AEST
Aidan O’Brien commands a tight grip on this event, saddling the two clear market leaders. Endorsement is the preferred of the stablemates, boasting an exceptional pedigree of form. The Wootton Bassett colt initiated his campaign with a narrow defeat in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes to Christmas Day, who subsequently validated the form by winning the Epsom Derby. He followed that with a solid third behind Derby placegetter James J Braddock and stable companion Pierre Bonnard (seventh in the Derby). Sent to Leopardstown for an easier assignment, Endorsement bolted up by seven lengths. While dropping back from 2,400 metres to 2,000 metres is a slight query, his impressive CV makes him difficult to oppose.
O’Brien’s second string, Italy, has not been sighted since finishing fourth in the aforementioned Ballysax Stakes, where he trailed Endorsement by three lengths. With just a solitary career win to his name, it is difficult to envision him reversing the form on his stablemate, particularly when resuming from a two-month hiatus.
John and Thady Gosden saddle two runners, with Oxagon considered their premier chance by the bookmakers. Oxagon has been highly tried in elite company, contesting both the 2000 Guineas and the Prix du Jockey Club, though he finished well beaten on both occasions. Striking a significantly weaker grade here, he ought to lay down a genuine challenge.
The wildcard of the field is the unexposed Generic. This lightly raced three-year-old was no match for Constitution River in the Dee Stakes last time out. However, that formline is arguably the strongest in the race, given Constitution River subsequently captured the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club to cement his status as one of the world's elite three-year-olds. The racing game is still very new to Generic, but he is expected to take giant strides forward on his fourth career start. The ultimate question is whether that natural improvement is enough to trouble a seasoned talent like Endorsement.
Selections:
#3. Endorsement
#4. Generic
#8. Morshdi
#2. Oxagon
Rising Australian star Zac Lloyd has secured three competitive rides for Day 3. He partners Waterford Castle in the King George V Stakes, links up with the well-fancied Moonfall in Race 5 (the Britannia Stakes), and concludes his afternoon aboard Arctic Dawn in the lucky last.
Meanwhile, champion jockey James McDonald lines up a busy four-ride book. His day begins aboard Romanza in the opening race, followed by Dial Me In in Race 2. He will later partner the French-trained New Connection in Race 5, before rounding out Day 3 aboard Defence Minister.
