Wednesday, 18 June 2014 proved another action-packed day at Ascot. Dermot Weld providing the opening winner with Mustajeeb in the Gr2 Jersey Stakes and Edward Lynam’s Anthem Alexander just held off Richard Hughes and Tiggy Wiggy in a nail-biting finish to the Gr2 Queen Mary Stakes. However, the highlight of the day was the Gr1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes, won by Lord and Lady Lloyd Webber’s The Fugue for John Gosden and William Buick.
2013 Arc winner Treve was the name on everyone’s lips (and betting slips), but she failed to produce the expected sparkle and was outgunned by Joseph O’Brien on Magician and William Buick on The Fugue. Treve’s conditioner, Criquette Head-Maarek commented in the post race interview that “Frankie didn’t think her action was right and she didn’t look right going to the start. He didn’t think the ground was a problem but he did feel a longer distance [than 10 furlongs] would suit her better. Her action was not right but I don’t know why . Maybe we will discover something when we get home. She is not blowing at all and a horse that is sick blows hard after a race like that. She came with a run but could not push. We will take her home to Chantilly and see how she is and don’t forget that the winner today is very good too,” she added graciously.
Very good indeed, as it turned out, as The Fugue set a new track record time of 2 minutes 1.90. It was a triumphant showing for the delighted John Gosden, who now has an Ascot Gr1 double with Kingman having won the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday.
A full list of yesterday’s results is available on the Racing Post.
Thursday, 19 June is Gold Cup day at Ascot and Estimate will attempt to repeat her 2013 success for HRH Queen Elizabeth and Sir Michael Stoute, despite having not won a race since and without a racecourse appearance since October.
“She’s a filly that is not straightforward,” Stoute commented last week. “It hasn’t been easy. She had a muscle problem in her right hind leg and that’s why she hasn’t had a preparatory run, so we’re under pressure. She’s made good progress in the last month. It’s a tough assignment but I think we’re going to run well and we’ll have her in good shape.”
St Leger winner Leading Light will be the likely favourite, having only been beaten only in the Arc in his past seven outings.
Today’s going is declared good to firm.
Thursday’s Schedule
| Time | Race | Age | Prize Fund | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30pm | The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) | 2 | £80000 | Five furlongs |
| 4:05pm | The Tercentenary Stakes (Group 3) | 3 | £75000 | One mile two furlongs |
| 4:45pm | The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) | 3 fillies | £525000 | One mile four furlongs |
| 5:25pm | The Gold Cup (Group 1) | F&M | £375000 | Two miles four furlongs |
| 6:00pm | The Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) | 3 C&G | £120000 | One mile |
| 6:35pm | The King George V (Handicap) | 3 | £75000 | One mile four furlongs |
A full copy of the day’s card can be found at the Racing Post and live streaming of the day’s action can be accessed via the Dubai Racing Channel, Filmon’s HRTV channel or Channel 4 feed and RacingUK offers a subscription service available here.
