A typically cosmopolitan field lines up for the King’s Stand Stakes, the second G1 event at Royal Ascot on Tuesday to feature as part of the annual Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge.
Up for grabs is a guaranteed berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and a big field of 19 runners will line up for the five-furlong contest, including two Australian-trained runners bidding to follow up Nature Strip’s breathtaking success 12 months ago.
With five winners in 20 years since Choisir started ignited Australian interest in the royal meeting with a startling sprint double in 2003, the King’s Stand is the nation’s favourite race at the royal meeting, also won by Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009).
Four of the five previous King’s Stand winners from Australia had won the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (usually down the straight five at Flemington) in February. This year’s edition was won by heavily fancied three-year-old filly Coolangatta under James McDonald, the world’s #1 rider according to Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings.
She is joined by compatriot Cannonball, a G3-winning three-year-old, while Twilight Gleaming looks sure to represent the US with distinction for Wesley Ward. Royal Ascot’s adopted American son won this with Lady Aurelia, who struck in devastating fashion in 2017.
Nunthorpe Stakes winner Highfield Princess, who has never stopped improving, looks easily the pick of an unexceptional home team. She won two G1s over five furlongs last term before coming fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland.
Others to merit consideration include Manaccan, the mount of Frankie Dettori at his farewell royal meeting, plus last year’s second Twilight Calls – a specialist at 5f on fast ground – and Queen Mary winner Dramatised.
Also back at Royal Ascot in a larger-than-usual contingent of three-year-olds is Bradsell, who won the Coventry Stakes on the corresponding card in 2022.
Key horses
Highfield Princess (John Quinn/Jason Hart) – better than ever last year, when three G1 wins included major prizes over this trip at York and the Curragh; only fourth in Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but good second in G2 over 6f at York last month should have set her up nicely for this.
Coolangatta (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace/James McDonald) – picked up a big pot in Magic Millions 2yo Classic last year and has since confirmed herself one of Australia’s star sprinters with G1 wins over 5f at Moonee Valley and Flemington; beat particularly strong field in Lightning Stakes on latter track in a race that habitually produces King’s Stand winners.
Dramatised (Karl Burke/Danny Tudhope) – comfortable winner of G2 Queen Mary Stakes for 2yo fillies here a year ago and went on to be second in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland; possibly flattered on reappearance when racing on ‘golden highway’ against favoured stands’ rail in G2 company at Haydock when beating smart old-timer.
Cannonball (Peter & Paul Snowden/Brett Prebble) – third in G1 handicap over 5½f in March, seven days after landing a G3 handicap over same distance; reportedly impressed since arriving from Australia.
Twilight Gleaming (Wesley Ward/Irad Ortiz) – second in Queen Mary here two years ago before all-the-way win in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar; yet to win at G1 level but confirmed herself in good shape with a Listed win at Keeneland on return.
Shall we talk about it?
John Quinn, trainer of Highfield Princess:“She is a tough, durable mare who has been great for us. It's a spicy King's Stand and we're hoping for a big run.”
Ciaron Maher, joint-trainer of Coolangatta: “I suppose winning the Lightning Stakes down the straight at Flemington gives you some confidence about handling the track here. There are not a lot of five-furlong races at this level, even at home. Coolangatta is good fresh and, even after her win in the Lightning Stakes, I still feel she is a filly that is developing. We think she is the right horse for Ascot.”
John Ryan, trainer of Manaccan:“It’s a big ask taking on the best but as long as the ground stays as it is, he has every chance of mixing it with them. He’s still going up the ladder, has a high cruising speed, quickens, has run three of his best races at Ascot and, touch wood, we’ve got the right man on board.”
Peter Snowden, joint-trainer of Cannonball: "He is an inexperienced horse but, in his two starts for me, he has shown that he is well above average. He is a fast horse, a tough horse, and he has handled this trip over here like it’s nothing. The five furlongs of the King’s Stand Stakes is all about speed and toughness, and he has both in abundance. I hope he is flying under the radar, because he should be on form, but I quite like the horse and think he is up to it.”
Wesley Ward, trainer of Twilight Gleaming: “Her workouts have been phenomenal and she’s got great experience of European travel, having finished second in the Queen Mary two years ago.”
Graham Dench’s verdict
Highfield Princess is an admirable mare. But although she looked very good last year in the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five, both races lacked any international competition and this looks tougher. Australian sprinters are always to be feared, as are any Wesley Ward runners over sprint distances, so it may pay to concentrate on COOLANGATTA and Twilight Gleaming, with preference for the former.
• The annual Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge is an international series of 80 stakes races whose winners receive automatic qualifying positions, with fees paid, into a corresponding race at the 40th edition of America’s end-of-season championships, held this year on November 3-4 at Santa Anita California.
The second Challenge race at Royal Ascot on Tuesday is the King’s Stand Stakes, a G1 event offering a fees-paid berth in the $1m Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
A total of 39 international races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge for 2023, among them races in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, and South Africa.
• Visit the Breeders’ Cup website and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge web page
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