Confirmation stages for the three opening-day Group 1s at Royal Ascot June 14 took place on Wednesday. A total of 17 stood their ground for the festival's opening contest, the G1 Queen Anne S., headed by American raider and champion grass mare Tepin (Bernstein). Other big names lined up to oppose the 5-year-old mare include last year's G1 Coronation S. winner at this meeting, French Classic winner Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}); recent G1 Lockinge S. winner Belardo (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}); and Group 1-winning French mare Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Profitable (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), first and second and separated by just a neck in the G2 Temple S. at Haydock May 21, are among the 23 remaining in the five-furlong G1 King's Stand S. The first six home in last year's King's Stand, including winner Goldream (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), remain eligible, as does last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday). Last year's G2 Queen Mary S. winner Acapulco (Scat Daddy) remains in the mix but also has an entry in the G1 Commonwealth Cup. Trainer Wesley Ward's Undrafted (Purim) and Godolphin's Australian shipper Holler (Aus) (Commands {Aus}) were removed from the race, but are still entered for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. over a furlong longer on the final day of the meet.
The G1 St James's Palace S., over a mile for 3-year-olds, still sets up as a re-match between the English, Irish and French 2000 Guineas winners, with Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) all still eligible. Harry Herbert, racing advisor to Galileo Gold's owner, Al Shaqab Racing, said, “He has the right to improve as he is only lightly raced but it will be a different race on better ground.”
“All racing fans are looking forward to the opening day of Royal Ascot,” Herbert added. “If everything goes to the St James's Palace S. sound and well, a cracking race will be in store and it is what the race is all about. It will be a proper championship race.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
