The Prince Of Wales’s Stakes is the feature race on the second day of Royal Ascot. It’s a 1m2f Group 1 event for four-year-olds and upwards and always attracts a quality entry. This year’s field features five colts and geldings and three fillies, with the latter group well equipped to take on the boys.
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Trends
- All of the last 17 winners had won previously over 1m2f
- All but one of the last 17 winners started at single-figure odds
- Four and five-year-olds have the best recent record
- Most recent winners had run at least once in the current season
- Most recent winners finished in the first three on their previous start
A lack of winning form over the trip probably rules out Desert Encounter and Zabeel Prince. The pair also have plenty to find on the form book and official ratings. Hunting Horn is almost certainly a pace-maker for his stable companion and Japan’s Deirdre doesn’t look up to Group 1 level. Waldgeist has only raced once before in Britain and was beaten in a Group 3.
Crystal Ocean has run in Group 1 company three times but has yet to win and these is a suspicion that he is slightly better over 1m4f. He did win the Hardwicke Stakes at the Royal meeting last year, however.
Magical has been a short-priced favourite in each of her three runs this year and won them all. But a line through Enable, who beat her in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in November, gives SEA OF CLASS every chance of ending her winning run. The Haggas filly was desperately unlucky not to beat Enable in the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe having won the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks previously.
Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Current Odds – Fillies out to thwart the boys
Magical 2/1, Sea of Class 11/4, Crystal Ocean 9/2, Waldgeist 13/2, Zabeel Prince 12/1, Deirdre and Hunting Horn 50/1, Desert Encounter 66/1
Queen Mary Stakes – Betting reflects open nature of juvenile fillies’ race
With 28 runners declared, this race has the look of a lottery.
Several trainers have more than one runner including America’s Wesley Ward, who has already won it three times. Kimari looks the pick of his two runners this year. There are six Irish-trained fillies and one from France. Good Vibes and Mighty Spirit finished 1-2 in the Marygate at York, which was the race won by last year’s winner Signora Cabello. Flippa The Strippa won the National Stakes at Sandown but FINAL SONG (11/2 with William Hill) showed excellent speed to make a winning start at Ascot and can justify market support.
Queen’s Vase – Ballydoyle team will be hard to resist
The distance of the Queen’s Vase was reduced last year, making it more of a St Leger Trial than a race for potential cup horses. It’s stock has grown in recent years thanks to the victories of Stradivarius and Kew Gardens.
Having saddled four of the last six winners, it’s impossible to ignore the claims of Aidan O’Brien’s four runners. As usual, the trainer is not revealing who will ride what until the last possible moment. But NORWAY (5/1 with Betfred) was thought good enough to run in the Epsom Derby and was also keeping on behind stablemate Sir Dragonet in the Chester Vase so may prove good enough.
Duke Of Cambridge Stakes – York second has set up Stoute filly perfectly
This is a relatively new race at the meeting but Sir Michael Stoute has already trained the winner four times.
RAWDAA (a general 4/1) appeared to run the perfect trial when just beaten by Lah Ti Dah at York. That was over 1m2f but she has plenty of winning form over a mile and the race is always run at a strong pace. She can prove too strong for Curragh second and third, I Can Fly and Red Tea.
Royal Hunt Cup – Nicola hoping to Currie favour with punters
Traditionally, one of the most tricky races of the week for punters who need to take into account the draw as well as the form book. There will be a maximum field of 30 mile handicappers this year, with three reserves to cover any late withdrawals. The ability to stay at least a mile is paramount as the race is always run an an end-to-end gallop.
Those drawn middle to high on the straight mile tend to do best, but the trend can be reversed on soft going. Only one favourite has won since 1996. Two of the last three winners have been trained in Ireland and Joseph O’Brien’s King’s Field is worth considering.
It’s 32 years since Gay Kelleway became the only woman jockey to ride a winner at Royal Ascot but Nicola Currie has a good chance of ending the drought on RAISING SAND (14/1 on betfair). Drawn right under the stands’ rail. Jamie Osborne’s charge had a less favourable starting position last year but ran a fine race to finish seventh. A recent fourth at the track will have blown away any cobwebs and forecast rain will play to his strengths. Northern raider What’s The Story could also go well at a general 25/1.
Windsor Castle Stakes – Experience is often key
Beware juveniles who have had one run in this as big fields often lead to rough races in which experience is required. Betfair are way out of line putting up Aidan O’Brien’s SOUTHERN HILLS at 14/1. He looked sure to win at Navan last time until worn down close home by the well-regarded Air Force Jet and is improving with racing – the first pulled well clear.
(Odds correct at 2.45pm June 17)
