Hardwicke Stakes (1m4f, Saturday, June 19, 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 Hardwicke Stakes – one of the highlights on Day 5 of Royal Ascot.
Mare Australis
Andre Fabre’s rapidly improving Colt ran his best race to date last time when “eased down” (not quite) to win the Group 1 Prix Ganay, a race won previously by Arc winner’s Sottsass and Waldgeist -the roll of honour is quite taking. It could be argued that a soft lead contributed to his victory but an RPR of 120 means it shouldn’t be underestimated.
Pyledriver
King Edward Stakes winner here at this meeting last year before landing the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York and then third in the Group 1 St Leger. A progressive horse that showed he has trained on when chasing home Sir Ron Priestly at Newmarket on return, and he looks sure to improve on the back of that effort at a track that wouldn’t have seen him at his best. Big player.
Waldkonig
He has been a slow burner for the yard but keeps on progressing, and like his half brother Waldgeist, It’s likely that with age will come his peak performances. It’s very hard to knock what he has done to date, but he is also one that doesn’t excite and is not flashy – he could be the answer here, though.
Sangarius
He has multiple entries, but his trainer Sir Michael Stoute has a great record in this race, and there could be an opportunity to step him up further in trip on the evidence of his Chester run behind Armory. It’s a wild stab and a risky punt, but compensation is in the current price.
Broome
He has improved this season to score in three of his four starts but came undone at the Curragh in heavy ground on Guineas day when beaten a short head by Helvic Dream. That race had the makeup of a poor-looking Group 1, and it may be the case that he has found good opportunities this season. He falls short of the level required to win this usually strong Group 2, and the step back up in trip wouldn’t look the obvious move.
Hukum
Hukum shot to the head of this ante-post market after scoring at Goodwood on his second start of the season in what looked a weak enough renewal of that Listed race. He needs to improve to win this significantly, so his short price is baffling?
Conclusion
Most of these are yet to run over this trip, but SANGARIUS has always shaped like a middle trip would suit and has to be a significant player if showing up here. Confidence can be taken from the fact that his trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won this five of the last ten years, and he wouldn’t have too many representatives to throw at the race outside of Sangarius.