Soft Ground The Key To Madame

Madame Chiang (GB) (Archipenko), a respectable fourth in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot last month, is on course to take on her own sex in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks at the Knavesmire Aug. 20. Her trainer David Simcock was thrilled with her performance at Ascot, particularly as Kirsten Rausing’s homebred wasn’t trained with the race fully in mind.

“The King George was more of an afterthought,” said Simcock. “We never really thought we’d be going there, as we imagined it would be too quick. It wasn’t until the forecast changed we suddenly decided we had a chance of going. I forgot to take her out and Kirsten said we may as well leave her in for another week and she ran very well. As long as she gets soft ground, it will be the Yorkshire Oaks.”

Simcock feels her best chance of adding to her Group 1 tally may lie in the race she won last year, the G1 Fillies and Mares S. on Champions weekend at Ascot Oct. 17, particularly if she gets her favored underfoot conditions.

“Ascot is the aim again and we’re hoping it’s wet,” summed up the Newmarket trainer.