THE FEATURE race of this, the second day of Royal Ascot, is the £100,000-added Coronation Stakes, but unfortunately the presence of Pertemps 1,000 Guineas winner Sleepytime has scared off all but five rivals.
However, the small field may not work in the favourite's favour. If there is no early gallop, the race could well develop into a sprint. In such circumstances, the race would have a wide open look.
Yet it is still impossible to oppose the likely odds-on favourite, such was the impressive nature of her Newmarket victory. Trainer Henry Cecil believes that his filly has strengthened up in the last few weeks and should be able to improve upon that performance.
If that is the case, then she will win easily, but whether she will have the chance to show how good she really is depends upon the tactics employed by her opponents.
Having a horse good enough to go to this meeting is often little more than a dream for many small owners and trainers. But the handicaps at the meeting provide a chance for stables to compete against the best for good prizes and today is no exception.
Willie Muir looks to have laid out Wild Rita for the Bessborough Stakes and she can reward each-way support. The five-year old mare seems to run well fresh, so sensibly Muir has kept her to one run this season, an enormously encouraging fifth of 19 behind Prince Kinsky at Epsom.
On good ground and over her optimum trip, Wild Rita must have a squeak here and should go off at a decent price.
Winter Garden looks a great bet in the Group Three Queen's Vase. Luca Cumani has always held this son of Old Vic in high regard and he has shown most progressive form this season. On his penultimate start at Newbury, he appeared to have seen too much daylight too early in the race and could have been unlucky in being short-headed by Cyrian with the rest well beaten.
The longer trip of two miles should hold no fears on breeding being a half-brother to smart stayer Safety in Numbers and the colt barely had little more than an exercise canter at Salisbury last week, when holding Tycooness comfortably.
This is a step-up in class and he faces some very decent opponents, but Winter Garden might just prove to be a really classy animal and gets the nap vote.
