Despite the 150/1 success of Nando Parrado last season (just two weeks into the turf season following the return to racing so a weakened renewal), the Coventry Stakes has been a very good race for punters since it was promoted to Group 2 status 17 years ago with as many as nine favourites or joint-favourites obliging in the last 15 years.
Possibly the strongest trends race of Royal Ascot kicks off the five-day extravaganza. By far the best guide of the Lockinge Stakes (featured 22 Queen Anne winners since 1980) was lost last year but it looks set to provide the odds-on favourite with Palace Pier on target to follow up his ready success at Newbury.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, June 13, 2021 at Sha Tin.
It has been several years since a truly exceptional European miler graced overseas racecourses, but Palace Pier might be special. He will start as the heavy favorite in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, the first race of the Royal Ascot meeting.
Stradivarius is chasing a remarkable fifth consecutive win at Royal Ascot next week – with a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup in his sights.
Forget about the men dressed to resemble penguins or magicians – whatever it is they're going for – or the traditional betting market on the color of The Queen's dress when she arrives at the racecourse in horse-drawn carriage. What really distinguishes Royal Ascot is its unusual narrative arc.
Strategic Phil ended a 10-race losing streak with a win in a lucrative handicap at a mile at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on May 29. That victory could propel the 5-year-old Australian-bred gelding back into the winner’s circle again in Sunday’s $96,825 Swan Hill Cup at Swan Hill Racecourse in the Australian countryside north of Melbourne.
U.S-based trainer Wesley Ward, an 11-time winner at Royal Ascot, has brought nine runners to this year’s meeting, including Campanelle who won last year’s Queen Mary Stakes. Ward talked to attheraces.com to go over his line-up for Royal Ascot 2021.
What is missing from Wild Planet’s career record is success in a Group 1 race, with a fourth-place finish, ninth, 11th and second in such races. Wild Planet will start in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane on Saturday in his second start of 2021.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, June 13, 2021 at Sha Tin.
