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| Sumita Pawar |
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The juveniles trained by Karl Burke are performing exceptionally well, and in the Queen Mary Stakes, Beautiful Diamond is leading a trio of strong contenders for the Middleham trainer.
After guiding Dramatised to a runaway victory in the Group Two competition last year, he seems to have another strong chance to repeat that success in the Group Two feature on day two of Royal Ascot.
The debut of Beautiful Diamond was a triumph, winning by three and a half lengths at Nottingham two weeks ago under owner HH Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum.
Sheikh Rashid's Racing Manager Talks Strategy For Upcoming Race
According to Sheikh Rashid's racing manager Bruce Raymond, there shouldn't be any issues with the quick turnaround from her debut.
He said: “The timing of the race is tight from her run at Nottingham, but really that’s an after-the-race excuse.
“I think there are more worries about going from Ascot to the July Meeting at Newmarket.
“After Ascot, they tend to need a break. Of course there are exceptions, but they can run flat after Ascot.
Although it's a challenging competition, she is clearly valuable, and I'm optimistic that she will be present for an intense battle.
“She cost a lot of money at the breeze-up sale. She won at Nottingham and obviously Karl expected her to go very close that day.
“She is obviously very useful, but it is a tough race. I’m hoping she will be there in a ding-dong. There are a lot of runners, but I expect her to go very well.”
Burke saddles Up For Success
In addition, Burke will be the one to put the saddle on Got To Love A Grey and Lady Pink Rose.
Got To Love A Grey has won her first two races for Middleham Park Racing, including a significant York Listed race last month. Lady Pink Rose, on the other hand, was second place in her debut at Catterick for Sheikh Juma.
Raymond added: “Had she (Lady Pink Rose) won at Catterick, she would have gone here without any questions. They will be delighted if she is in the first five or six.
“She was in at Ripon and I said she could be a good thing, but Sheikh Juma said he was getting a bit fed up with Ripon – let’s have a look at the Queen Mary. We can easily bring her back to Ripon afterwards. She is in with a squeak.”
Although Frankie Dettori seemed to have a strong chance with Laurel in the Duke of Cambridge, the filly was ultimately withdrawn.
Nevertheless, he will now ride Prosperous Voyage, trained by Ralph Beckett, and they have a good chance of winning the Group Two mile race. The four-year-old mare, owned by Andrew Rosen and Marc Chan, won the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom in her previous outing, making her one of the top contenders.
Chan’s racing manager Jamie McCalmont said, “It’s a bit different competition to Epsom here, but she didn’t have a hard race there and that should set her up for a good performance. Ralph and the team have been very happy with her since.”
“We’re sorry for the connections of Laurel, but it’s great to have Frankie back on board.”
The colt trained by John and Thady Gosden triumphed in Goodwood's Listed Cocked Hat race by a margin of three lengths, and is now set to compete in a race that is three furlongs longer.
“He is a classy performer and we were delighted with his run at Goodwood. He looks a staying type and we feel he will improve over a mile and three-quarters,” said Thady Gosden.
“It is obviously a very competitive race, but he has worked well and we hope he brings his A-game.”