King’s Stand Stakes (5f, Tuesday, June 15, 3.40pm)
Royal Ascot is the biggest week in the British flat racing calendar. Alongside a plethora of Group 1s, racing fans are treated to some of the most competitive handicaps of the year, and some cracking juvenile contests that unearth future stars. In anticipation of this year’s meeting, Daryl Carter is providing his expert analysis and ante-post betting selections for all of the big Royal Ascot races. Here, Daryl provides his thoughts on the King’s Stand Stakes – one of the highlights on Day 1 of Royal Ascot.
Battaash
An outstanding servant to the sprint game and showed no signs of slowing up when winning all three starts last season, including this race off a 254-day break. He has a record of 1/3 at this course and only found Blue Point too good on two of those occasions and is one of the great sprinters of a generation. He has been a pain in my side because I am never on the right side of him, but this race looks deeper than last year at the writing stage, and surely he has to be opposed at the age of seven, doesn’t he?
Liberty Beach
Liberty Beach has seen the backside of Battaash on two occasions, and it’s hard to envisage her reversing the form. Still, she does go very well fresh, and connections probably should have come straight here and skipped the winning prep run that may have taken the edge off her as it did last year. It’s hard to see her having enough progression to land this.
Oxted
Oxted was below par this term in two starts compared to his Group 1 July Cup victory at Newmarket last season, and the option of dropping back in trip here looks a bit desperate from connection’s if I am honest. His best work has come at Newmarket and has come at the end of 6f, and he will likely be run off his feet if taking up this entry. Avoid.
Equilateral
Once a firm favourite of mine but has proven to fall short of the level required for this contest despite only being beaten 2 1/4 lengths last season by Battash, but a stiff 5f looks to be his optimum, and he will get that here. Needs more.
Dragon Symbol
Five three-year-olds have won this race since 1991, and they have all gone on to be top class, so Archie Watson will need to have a real good one in Dragon Symbol to emulate that. He was unbeaten in four starts and clocked a career-best time figure at Hamilton in a class 2 conditions event before coming unstuck (but running with credit) at Haydock in the Sandy Lane Stakes – he is progressive. That is something the top of the market lacks, but he needs to show more to back him for this big step up in grade, but he is a likeable type.
Winter Power
Another three-year-old entered the picture and was most impressive at York, with Tim Easerby quoted as saying, “she’d be as good as any that I’ve had in a while”. She has won three of her last four on good and soft ground, and she has to be respected. She will need to improve again to win this, but there is nothing to suggest that she can’t.
Came From The Dark
A most progressive handicapper this term, and although he has been denied on two of his three starts this year, they have been by a neck and a head, and he was closing all the way to the line. Ed Walker’s runner is a late bloomer, but he is improving at a rate of knots. His hold-up style of running could be seen to good effect at this stiff ascot track, and he is a most intriguing runner.
Glass Slippers
Dual Group 1 winner last term, including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint Turf and unlucky not to retain her crown in the Prix de l’Abbaye when beaten a neck by Wooded. She was below par in this contest on seasonal return last year when only managing 5th, so a prep run would be prefered.
Conclusion
I am likely going to feel a fool again for taking on Battash on the day but his current price of around 3/1 looks a bit of value even if you want to be in a position to trade it off. He will surely not be bigger than that come the day unless stable whispers are negative. One at bigger prices that interests me is, CAME FROM THE DARK, who is progressing at a rate of knots and is a double-figure price.