Horse Racing Picks and Analysis
It’s Royal Ascot week. Did you expect to find Tom and Rich anywhere else? They’ll share their Royal Ascot Tips all Week.
Royal Ascot Tips (The Going Report)
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Race 1: QUEEN ANN STAKES
Race 2: COVENTRY STAKES
Race 3: KING’S STAND STAKES
Race 4: ST. JAMES’S PALACE STAKES
Race 5: ASCOT HANDICAP
Race 6: WOLFERTON STAKES
Race 7: COPPER HORSE HANDICAP
Royal Ascot Tips and Comments
22 to 1 Tom’s Tips
Race 1 – 14:30 (7:30a)
Queen Anne Stakes
9 – Native Trail – Draw 4
One race this season, 2nd at Newmarket in group 2 at 1 mile. He clearly needed a run. Forwardly placed, he just held second.
7 furlongs and 1 mile are his distance with 4 for 4 at 7 furlongs and 2 for 4 at 1 mile with 2 seconds.
Going shouldn’t be an issue in if the last race was what he needed to sharpen him up for this race.
We do get a jockey change from William Buick (on Modern Games) to James Doyle.
5 – Light Infantry – Draw 2
3 runs this season, no wins but a miss last out at ParisLongchamp at a longer distance.
A nothing effort at Newbury but never looked comfortable at all.
He ran in the same race with my top choice first out and a good 3rd for first effort.
His wins were at 6F and 7F, so I didn’t feel he could win, but I really like his last race.
12 – Inspiral – Draw 6
First start of the season and facing the boy again.
Her final race last season against the boys was a very dull effort.
She beat my second choice by a neck at Deauville last August.
She has won at Royal Ascot before and won off a layoff.
My question with any horse moving from 3yo to 4yo is did she mature more to have a great run her or is she done?
Co-Favorite.
Race 2 – 15:05 (8:05a)
Coventry Stakes
13 – Haatem – Draw 8
He ran third last out at Epsom and failed to break for the gate properly, which cost him the race as the favorite.
A good win at Bath by 6L in his second start after a 3rd at Goodwood in his first run.
At Goodwood, he was in the rear in this run. He had a lot to do got to get up for third and had a good learning run.
In his last 2 races, he went off as the favorite and now he’s 40-1.
Looking at getting out of the gate properly this time he should be running on strong at the end.
12 – Givemethebeatboys – Draw 7
I really like his last effort in winning by a head in group 3 at the Curragh. He went off at 11-1 after winning his first start in a maiden at Navan.
He had a lot of work to do to win this race after running down the center to start and switching out left.
This is one to watch with the breeding suggesting sprinting is his game along with early development.
3 – Asadna – Draw 17
One race, one win in a very fast time and won by 12L at Ripon.
Received a 120 rating for that run and was less than 1 second off the standard.
Breeding suggests be could go a far at 7F so if shows the same turn of foot as his first race, he could run away from this bunch.
Post position will be interesting depending on how the track is playing.
Race 3 – 15:40 (8:40a)
King’s Stand Stakes
19 – Dramatised – Draw 18
Won impressively last out at Haydock, going 5F and beating them by 1L.
Not bad for the first start of the season.
She won last year at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary from the 17 post.
Lightly-raced 3yo with a good overall sprint record.
I think she will be up with the leaders and let’s see if she gets the job done.
10 – Coolangatta – Draw 2
She comes up from Australia in good form with a win in Group 1 at Flemington over I Wish I Win.
She won 5 races from 8 tries with 2 thirds, all in Group company races, including a Group 3 win for her maiden start.
She’s training like a champ and this is the place to prove.
Australia won this race for the second year in a row; Nature Strip won last year.
13 – Mooneista – Draw 14
One run this year at Naas and ran 4th behind Ladies Church. She went off as the favorite. I am not sure why because first starts for her usually have been in the money but not a win.
The is a very consistent mare with 22 runs 3 wins 7 seconds 4 thirds.
She may not win, but I think she will show up in the money.
Race 4 – 16:20 (9:20a)
St James’s Palace Stakes
9 – Royal Scotsman – Draw 4
Toss last, did like the Curragh or just didn’t have his day.
Ran 3rd at Newmarket in the Guineas
The last 2 were at 1 mile but better at lesser distances.
Went off as the favorite last out and not great.
The horse has shown better but is this the time to shine?
Getting at least 14-1 and I will take those odds.
6 – Isaac Shelby – Draw 3
2 races this season this year, a win at Newbury in Group 3 by 3L at 7F.
Then raced at ParisLongchamp in a 1-mile Group 1 race and just missed by a neck on very soft going.
He’s won on the good-to-firm going at Newmarket so ready for a best effort like last time.
Good chance again to preform at the top level.
8 – Paddington – Draw 8
A winner of 4 in a row, including the latest in a Group 1 at the Curragh.
He’s been moving, steadily up in class and improving with each race.
He could win again, but this is a good field and the rolling track of Ascot.
Race 5 – 17:00 (10:00a)
Ascot Stakes
6 – Ahorsewithnoname – Draw 7
A winner last out at Cheltenham but this was a hurdle race at today’s distance.
Her flat racing record is impressive with 6 starts 4 wins and 1 third.
She won on all different types of going from soft to good.
Interesting career and overall record of 18 starts 6 wins 4 seconds and 3 thirds on the flat, hurdles and national fences.
She’s attached William Buick for the ride.
20 – Zinc White – Draw 19
He had raced since October of 2021 and comes out and wins a class 2 handicap at Chester by 21/4L for 18.5 furlongs.
In April 2023, trainer switch but still a 561 day break from racing and come back to this result at 33-1
He won to flat races in May 2021 at 1 ½ miles
He’s only 5yo and raced a total of 7 times, repeat?
The wide draw is a concern.
4 – Urban Artist – Draw 14
Shipped to France for a run in a listed race at ParisLongchamp, ran 6th. When ask to go, show a bit but was eased up at the finish.
His first start of was at Nottingham and ran 4th of 5 runner. This race include Trueshan who was beaten that day. Top class listed race.
The going in these races was soft and heavy, he done better on the good to soft with ok results going on good to firm.
Distance is right, let’s see if this one has it to finish in the money at good odds.
Race 6 – 17:35 (10:35a)
Wolferton Stakes
12 – Poker Face – Draw 13
Tried group 2 company last out and was not up to the task, beaten by 2 1/2L. The 10 furlongs maybe too long?
His first run on the season was in a group 3 race and ran a strong 2nd by 2L.
He won his first three starts moving from maiden to a class 4 handicap before his layoff.
Moves back to 9 furlongs and is facing good company but if can return to his 3yo form, he wins.
14 – Saga – Draw 3
2 runs this season, one at York running 4th and the other at Newmarket running 2nd at today’s distance.
He only has 1 win and that was a Ascot in a maiden race, his first race of his career in a maiden race was won by Modern Games.
His last run is the key for me, good early position, some traffic and then closed very strong to run 2nd.
Dettori and Gosden
16 – Solid Stone – Draw 11
Only 1 run this season in a group 3 at Sandown going 3rd by 5L to Hukum at 10F.
He rallied along the rail to get 3rd with switching of paths.
His has been keeping top company in his last 10 races and has 3 wins to show for his efforts. Last season, he won his second start at 10F.
He’s faired good on the good to firm going so let’s see what he can do.
Race 7 – 18:10 (11:10a)
Copper Horse Stakes
8 – Absurde – Draw 10
A winning effort last out at Killarney over the hurdles as a big favorite and the first start of the season in this novice race.
All the rest of his races are in France at various levels and on the all-weather and turf.
He’s run 12 times with 3 wins 5 seconds 2 thirds.
So William Mullins switches him back to the flat and adds Frankie Dettori.
4 – Point King – Draw 16
One run this season running 2nd at Leopardstown in a group 3 race at 14F.
He was just beaten at the wire.
He’s running well and won in listed and group company in Ireland.
With a record of 6 races 3 wins 1 second
In the comments that this horse is being considered for the Melbourne Cup so let’s see if the development continues in this race.
5 – Scriptwriter – Draw 15
Rich’s Ranks
Race 1: QUEEN ANN STAKES
7 – MODERN GAMES – great turf breeding, is a miler for sure 8/5-3-0
4 – CHINDIT – 2nd to Modern Games last out, has beaten many of the other contenders, 3rd after a layoff
12 – INSPIRAL – can’t argue with this gal’s record, 8/6-1-0, four of the Ws at a mile in 6 tries, only question is first since October, same schedule last year and won the Coronation
11 – TRIPLE TIME – got to have a price horse, winner thee of four at the distance, also making first run since October, won after 364 days in the barn before
Race 2: COVENTRY STAKES
3 – ASADNA – made easy work of the comp in his debut in the race with the highest class rating for any
17 – RIVER TIBER – a pair of easy wins and heavily bet in both
4 – BOBSLEIGH – unbeaten in two, will have plenty of speed to chase as a closer and 2nd best race class rating win
9 – EMPEROR’S SON – comment says it all, hampered BADLY in its debut and still won. That was against 4 other horses, much different story if he doesn’t get a clean trip here
Race 3: KING’S STAND STAKES
19 – DRAMATISED – should be better in 2nd up, tr Karl Burke goes back to jy Daniel Tudhope, who won in first two with this horse, including the Queen Mary last year at the Royal Ascot
10 – COOLANGATTA – has a trio of Group 1 wins in Australia, and something you don’t see often, never ran lower than a Group 3 in its 8 race career
12 – HIGHFIELD PRINCESS – should be closing late, just wonder if the distance might be a little on the short side
2 – CANNONBALL – another Aussie invader with a Group three win and close call in a G1 last out, won two of three off the bench like today
Race 4: ST. JAMES’S PALACE STAKES
1 – CHALDEAN – might have won 6 in a row if he didn’t unseat the rider two back, only other non-winning effort except for debut
8 – PADDINGTON – won his last four with ease including the Group 1, Irish Guineas with ease
3 – CICERO’S GIFT – undefeated in three easy wins, including two at a mile, just don’t know how good he is until he loses
6 – ISAAC SHELBY – just missed in a G1 at Longchamp last out in first at a mile – expecting a better effort in third off the sidelines
Race 5: ASCOT HANDICAP
20 – ZINC WHITE – was off for more than a year and came back with an easy win at 2 5/16 miles, resume says 2nd up should be better – like him even more if the expected rain downgrades conditions
5 – BRING ON THE NIGHT – finished 2nd by ¾ lengths in this race 2 years ago – hasn’t run since – real wildcard
11 – ZOFFEE – missed by a neck at 2 5/16 last out, the extra distance helps in 2nd up effort
15 – NOVEL LEGEND – finished behind ZINC WHITE in last, again, I think the extra distance is a benefit
Race 6: WOLFERTON STAKES
1 – BUCKAROO – down from a Group 1 and won only pair of second starts after a layoff
9 – FRANCESCO CLEMENTA – is a neck from being undefeated, has killer turf breeding and should be rolling at the end
3 – KING OF CONQUEST – won four in a row, beating a few others in here, tr Charles Appleby wins at 47% with horse that won their prior start – that’s a sick number
12 – POKER FACE – led late in his last at 1 5/16 miles, cutting back to 1 ¼ miles is going to help
Race 7: COPPER HORSE HANDICAP
4 – POINT KING – missed by a head in a Group 3 following a long break, won only other 2nd up outing
7 – VAUBAN – has been off since July 21 – Morning Line fav, who knows – could romp of get stomped
2 – SAM COOKE – picked up with the same good form he left off with in 2022, he will be coming late and adding a quarter mile here should be beneficial
13 – POSTILEO – was off for more than a year, came back with an easy win, ITM 6/9 on turf, distance isn’t a question and no reason he should not step forward in round two
