A retreat to a countryside track may help Poseidon Ruler end a three-race losing streak in the minor Wauchope Cup at 7 1/2 furlongs at Port Macquarie Racecourse in Australia.
Since a win in a six-furlong handicap at Newcastle Racecourse on April 8, Poseidon Ruler has finished fifth twice and fourth once in lucrative handicaps at tracks in Sydney restricted to smaller stables from the state of New South Wales.
Four-race winning streak on opposite sides of the English Channel have pushed Blue Rose Cen and Running Lion to the roles of leading contenders for Sunday’s Group 1 French Oaks at Chantilly Racecourse north of Paris.
The races that comprise those winning streaks are remarkably different.
FRANCESCO CLEMENTE really should have won at Goodwood last month, but he can atone for that by landing the Wolferton Stakes on the opening day for the Gosden team. That was the only time the son of Dubawi has tasted defeat and the fact that he still holds an entry in the Eclipse suggests he will end up better than Listed class.
COOLANGATTA arrives having taken out the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes on her last start, a race won by four previous Australian sprinters before going on to win the King’s Stand at Ascot. Whilst she hasn’t reached the heights of Nature Strip, she is still a low-mileage, high-class, twice Group 1-winning sprinter, who had the subsequent winner of the T J Smith (a top-quality G1 sprint) in behind her when victorious last time.
Archie Watson got off to a winning start with AADDEEY at Ripon in April, with the six-year-old having been gelded ahead of that successful reappearance, and he has reportedly improved considerably for that run over 1m4f. Hollie Doyle could once again dictate the pace on this strong traveller, who promises to relish the extra quarter-mile on such a stiff track.
A winner of the Fillies’ Mile at two and the winner of the Coronation Stakes on her reappearance at three, INSPIRAL also won the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois last season. The daughter of Frankel brings high-class form to the table as she makes her much-awaited comeback in this competitive Queen Anne Stakes. She should go very close if in the same form as this time last year.
I know I get into trouble for mentioning Hong Kong - I used to work there you know! - but I cannot ignore WELLINGTON in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. He is a four-time Group 1 winner in the territory at both 1200 and 1400 metres and his great run of success has only been halted by the emergence of Lucky Sweynesse, now rated the best sprinter in the world.
Lasy year's race
Winner: Rising Star
Jockey: Neil Callan
Trainer: Marco Botti
Owner: Mamba Racing & Partner
Age: 4
Weight: 9st 1lbs
Starting Price: 40/1
Season Form Figures: 51395
Previous Best: 3rd - All-Weather Fillies' And Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes, Newcastle (April 2022)
By Paul Jones
Last year's race
Winner: Little Big Bear
Jockey: Ryan L Moore
Trainer: Aidan P O'Brien
Owner: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg
Age: 2 Weight: 9st 5lbs
Starting Price: 6/5
Season Form Figures: 21
Previous Best: 1st - Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, Naas (May 2022)
By Paul Jones