The Queen had a her last winner of the race in 1954
PICTURE: EDWARD WHITAKER
Queen’s Dartmouth set for King George run
THE Queen’s colt Dartmouth has been supplemented for Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot at a cost of £75,000.
The son of Dubawi got the better of Highland Reel to take the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting in June and will now be given the chance to go for Group 1 glory back at Ascot.
The Queen has won the race named after her parents once before, in 1954, when Aureole won in heavy conditions.
Dartmouth’s trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, will be bidding for a record sixth victory in the prestigious race after he secured back to back wins in 2009 and 2010 through Conduit and Harbinger.
After producing a great ride to win the Hardwicke, Olivier Peslier keeps the ride in a partnership that also won at Goodwood in August last year.
The market is currently led by strong odds-on favourite Postponed at 1-2 with Paddy Power. He secured a fifth successive win by winning the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom in June.
Dartmouth has entered the market as the 5-1 second favourite, with Highland Reel, who looks set to be Aidan O’Brien’s principal entry for the race, at 6-1.
Hawkbill will not run
Hawkbill, who was supplemented to the field to win the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown at the start of July, will not be added to the King George line up by Godolphin and will instead wait for the Juddmonte International at York.
Godolphin, who secured a hat-tick of wins in the event from 1997 to 1999, do not have any representatives in the race this year.
Charlie Appleby told godolphin.com: “After consultation with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and John Ferguson, we have decided he will miss the King George and be saved for races over a mile and a quarter. The Juddmonte is the likely next target.”
Confirmations at the five-day stage
Ten entries remain at the five-day stage of confirmations, these are; Ajman Bridge, Erupt, Highland Reel, Postponed, Second Step, Shogun, Sir Isaac Newton, Western Hymn, Wings Of Desire and Dartmouth
Hawkbill: will not be supplemented for the King George
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Hawkbill to skip King George and wait for York
CORAL-ECLIPSE winner Hawkbill will not be supplemented for Saturday’s King George Vl & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, with connections instead waiting for the Juddmonte International at York.
RELATED LINKS, King George card , International betting
Bookmakers were fearful the second favourite would not be added to the field and on Sunday shortened Postponed into 1-2 (from 4-7) by several firms.
On Sunday Godolphin’s chief executive John Ferguson left the door open for a possible £75,000 supplementary, but on Monday morning the possibility was ruled out.
Charlie Appleby told godolphin.com: “After consultation with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and John Ferguson, we have decided he will miss the King George and be saved for races over a mile and a quarter. The Juddmonte is the likely next target.”
Dartmouth Supplemented
It was revealed on Monday morning that Hardwicke winner Dartmouth, owned by The Queen, will take his chance in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at a cost of £75,000.
O’Brien plans
Aidan O’Brien looks set to rely on Highland Reel in the Qipco-backed contest and said on Sunday: “At the minute we’re looking at Highland Reel. He ran well on soft ground at Ascot last time and came out of the race very well. We would be very happy if he got good ground next week.
“We have Sir Isaac Newton in the race as well but Highland Reel is what we’re looking at for now. Deauville won’t run, he’s having an easy week and wants a mile and a quarter on fast ground.”
fonte : RacingPost
