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| Staff Writer |
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This Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot features a top-tier international field of up to 11 runners. Highlights include French-trained Goliath, Royal Ascot winner Auguste Rodin, and global champion Rebel's Romance. The progressive filly Bluestocking adds intrigue, while contenders like Luxembourg and Sunway round out a competitive lineup. This prestigious race could significantly impact the remainder of the flat racing season and autumn campaign plans.
Goliath Returns to Ascot
French-trained Goliath is set to make a return appearance at Ascot this Saturday, targeting the prestigious King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes.
The Adlerflug gelding, under the care of Francis-Henri Graffard, previously crossed the Channel in June to compete in the Hardwicke Stakes during Royal Ascot. In that race, he finished second to Isle Of Jura over the same mile and a half distance he'll face in the King George.
Following a satisfactory recovery from his last outing, Goliath is now preparing for another trip to British soil. This time, he'll step up to Group One company, tackling the same course and distance as his previous Ascot engagement.
Christophe Soumillon has been confirmed as Goliath's jockey for the race. Trainer Graffard anticipates a competitive field and is optimistic about a strong pace, which he believes could benefit his charge in what's expected to be a high-caliber contest.
“He is in very good form, he came out of his race at Ascot in great shape,” said Graffard.
“We have freshened him up, he’s back to 100 per cent and he’s ready to go again.
“He’s running again on Saturday in the King George, Christophe Soumillon takes the ride.
“It would be nice if there was a little bit more pace, it seems to be a very strong renewal of the race so we’ll see how he gets on.”
Despite Goliath's near-miss at Royal Ascot, Graffard's stable found success with Calandagan, who dominated the King Edward VII Stakes with an impressive six-length victory.
Calandagan's future plans are still being considered. The colt is entered in the prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes at York, suggesting a potential return to England. However, the team is also eyeing the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano in Deauville as an alternative option.
Graffard added: “He’s in great shape, the plan has not quite been made yet for the future. He has York and Deauville as options.”
Connections of Bluestocking are hoping for rain on Thursday to improve her chances in Saturday's King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. The Group One race will see her face colts in a highly competitive field.
The Camelot filly has shown consistency, finishing second in both the Irish Oaks and over the same course and distance on British Champions Day last year. Her performances at three have been rewarding, with a striking win in the Middleton Stakes at York followed by her first Group One victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
These successes have set the stage for her to challenge formidable opponents like Auguste Rodin and Rebel's Romance in Ascot's midsummer feature.
Trainer Ralph Beckett has indicated his preference for returning to the mile and a half distance, provided the ground doesn't become too firm. Barry Mahon of Juddmonte echoes this sentiment, expressing hope for the forecast rain to materialize and soften the ground, which would enhance Bluestocking's prospects in the race.
“I think Saturday is a real possibility and we said we were going to watch the weather,” said Mahon, who is Juddmonte’s European racing manager.
“There is a bit of rain coming in on Thursday and depending on where you look you get different amounts.
“There is some rain coming and Ascot have watered as well and I think the ground is good, good to firm. There is not a whole lot more rain coming for Goodwood (Nassau Stakes) next week (which is another option) and at the minute we’ll be looking at the King George.
“We’ll monitor the situation and as Ralph said, if it was very quick ground we would probably have to relook at it. At the minute we’re going to keep going towards Saturday and hope they get a millimetre or two more than they are forecast.”
This afternoon may be pivotal for the Bluestocking team. Her performance could significantly influence their focus for the remainder of the season.
An impressive display might spark aspirations for Paris in the fall, potentially giving the four-year-old filly an opportunity to surpass the achievement of her former stablemate, Westover, in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Mahon added: “I think if Saturday went well and she came out of it well and ran OK we would be thinking about the Yorkshire Oaks.
“Again depending on Saturday, if she shows that she is up to handling the colts, we can look at the Arc. There’s also the Prix Vermeille.
“She’s entitled to run in these big races. She’s now a Group One winner and she’s multiple Group One placed and at the stage of the season we are at, we will keep going at the top table with her.”
As the British flat season reaches its summer pinnacle, the prestigious King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes takes center stage. The Group 1 contest features a field of up to 11 runners, headlined by the resurgent Auguste Rodin and Longines Dubai Sheema Classic victor Rebel's Romance.
Auguste Rodin (Aidan O'Brien): The six-time G1 winner bounced back from a disappointing Sheema Classic run to impress in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite his inconsistency, exemplified by last year's last-place finish in this race, he remains the one to beat over 2400m on fast ground.
Rebel's Romance (Charlie Appleby): This globetrotting six-year-old seeks his first British G1 triumph after recent successes in Dubai and Hong Kong. Trainer Appleby reports him to be in peak form, positioning him as a strong contender.
Luxembourg (Aidan O'Brien): Fresh off a Coronation Cup victory, this versatile runner boasts an impressive G1 record and could make a significant impact, especially on firm going.
Bluestocking (Ralph Beckett): The progressive filly steps up in trip following her G1 victory at the Curragh. While the distance should suit, faster ground presents a new challenge.
Dubai Honour (William Haggas): Another international campaigner, he enters off a G1 win in Saint-Cloud but may need further improvement to challenge at this level.
Continuous (Aidan O'Brien): The St Leger winner looks to build on his seasonal debut in the Hardwicke Stakes and could be a strong contender for a place.
Other entries include Goliath, who impressed at Royal Ascot, and Sunway, the sole three-year-old in the field coming off a career-best Irish Derby performance.
The supporting cast features Middle Earth, Point Lonsdale, and likely pacemaker Hans Anderson, rounding out a competitive field for this midsummer classic.