Lockinge mile has stellar cast

Group 1 winners Elvstroem, Grand Emporium, Le Vie dei Colori, and Rakti head an outstanding international field of 11 milers in the $425,000 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Winner of the Dubai Duty Free, Elvstroem is a front-running threat in this straight Group 1 mile. Grand Emporium, a multiple Group 1 winner in South Africa, has been freshened since landing the Godolphin Mile on March 26. Le Vie dei Colori, a Group 1 mile winner in Italy, should improve off a recent tally at Leicester, while Rakti, who won last June's Queen Anne Stakes over Ascot's straight mile, makes his seasonal debut.

Antonius Pius could win this with a repeat of his second-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Mile, while Autumn Glory has an upset chance off his sharp second in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet on May 1.