King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes – live race updates, blog
Roar Guru The 2,400m King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes race from Royal Ascot runs at 1:35am (AET) tonight (Sunday morning). Join us in the lead-up as we preview the race – and we’ll have live race updates and a blog.
There are ten fantastic runners in tonight’s race and many of these are great horses with a number of Group 1 wins between them. It’s been called one of the best races in a decade
1. Brown Panther
Part-owned by former English striker Michael Owen, he has a last start win but this is much harder and he’s an outsider
2. Dunaden, the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner and Hong Kong Vase winner holds the majority of Australian interest with local hoop Craig Williams making a flying visit to ride.
Dunaden is a legitimate chance in this race. He looked to be an unlucky loser last start in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot when runner-up to fellow King George rival Sea Moon on June 23rd, the same day Black Caviar (just) won.
3. Masked Marvel
Showed plenty of promise in 2011, winning the St Leger. Two runs in 2012 have been improving, including a third place in the Coronation Cup a race won by St Nicholas Abbey – who runs tonight.
4. Nathaniel
One of big chances. Nathaniel won this race in 2011 and showed signs that he’s on track to win again after returning from a spell to take out the Eclipse (the race that was to be So You Think’s last before he was scratched) in a very good performance.
5. Reliable Man
French Derby winner Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Reliable Man looked to be back to his best form when three lengths fourth to So You Think but not sure his best is enough in this field.
6. Robin Hood
The ‘Hood is a pacemaker for the Aidan O’Brien stable. He looks to be booked for the same role here, for O’Brien’s chief chance in St Nicholas Abbey. He’ll go hard early and fade.
7. Sea Moon
Continues to impress. He beat Dunaden last start to remain unbeaten this year and was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf behind St Nicholas Abbey. He’s a big chance if he can go on from his last win but has scope to improve.
8. St Nicholas Abbey
High-class colt who rounded off last season with a defeat of Sea Moon in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. Comes here following second successive win in Coronation Cup at Epsom.
9. Danedream
This mare, of course, stormed to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe by some 5L with a huge finish to 2011. If she was in that form she’d be a warm favourite, but she was last in a field of four in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in France last start, so needs to find something.
However, some are saying the race didn’t suit with the small field lacking pace. That won’t be the case tonight. A German trained horse has never won.
10. Deep Brillante
Won Tokyo’s Japanese Derby and has consistent form, but tough to know where that places him in this contest. As the only three-year old colt he has a weight advantage in the weight-for-age competition. A real roughie not without a hope.
A race that contains the Melbourne Cup winner (Dunaden), the Arc winner (Danedream), French Derby winner (Reliable Man) Japanese Derby winner (Deep Brillante), Breeders’ Cup Turf (St Nicholas Abbey) as well as Nathaniel has serious depth.
The deciding factor won’t be pace – as Robin Hood will be providing the speed. It will be the weather conditions. The track looks set to be drying which may suit St Nicholas Abbey. Nathaniel may prefer a softer track and any rain will suit. The best roughie could be Deep Brillante – the last time a Japanese horse ran was in 2006, and Heart’s Cry finished third.
Punters are split across Nathaniel, Sea Moon and St Nicholas Abbey, with Dunaden next in betting while Danedream, Reliable Man and Deep Brillante offer value.
Join The Roar’s racing expert Justin Cinque in the early hours for what’s expected to be a great race.
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The Crowd Says (55) | Page 1 of Comments
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1:11pm
johnny nevin is a legend said | 1:11pm | Report comment
A brilliant renewal of this great race. Joseph O’Brien showed his age with a poor ride on SNA, he was coming towards the end, if he he was up closer in the running he could of won it. A respectable run from Dunaden but he’ll never win or probably even be placed in a top European Group 1 2400m race. Whether Dunaden is good enough to win with a big weight at Melbourne is another question, its definitely worth a shot.
1:48am
Justin Cinque said | 1:48am | Report comment
Thanks for joining us this morning for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Danedream causes another upset in a big race and takes the King George. She’s a true big-game player. One of the greatest German horses ever to have graced the turf.
Join us again on The Roar.
1:46am
Justin Cinque said | 1:46am | Report comment
Sky commentators saying Dunaden raced like a Melbourne Cup horse.
Saying Danedream could go back to Japan for another go at the Japan Cup. Last year she finished out of the placings in that race.
I’d love to see her in AUstralia but I don’t think we have the right race for her. She needs 2400m WFA.
1:45am
Justin Cinque said | 1:45am | Report comment
Sea Moon was pinching runs in the middle and franked her win over Dunaden by getting past the French horse at the death.
1:43am
Justin Cinque said | 1:43am | Report comment
Well Danedream is a true star.
Nathaniel shot to the front at the right time for Buick. But the mare came down the centre and has nailed him!!
Andrasch Starke rode a great race.
I thought St Nicholas Abbey was huge. O’Brien got a mile back and asked him to do something impossible – to pass a legendary field in the straight. He got past all but two. He was strongest of the lot at the line.
He finished third.
1:41am
Justin Cinque said | 1:41am | Report comment
For us Aussies the big news is that Dunaden will probably come to Australia now.
1:40am
Justin Cinque said | 1:40am | Report comment
Danedream has won it for Germany!!
She has now won the two best 2400m races in Europe – the Arc and the King George.
1:39am
Justin Cinque said | 1:39am | Report comment
Still no result.
SNA got too far back. Dunaden was ridden too close by Williams – beaten about four lengths.
SNA ran on strong.
Nathaniel stormed to the front at the 350. Danedream had the last shot and she’s got up.
DANEDREAM HAS GOT THE PHOTO
1:38am
Justin Cinque said | 1:38am | Report comment
This is close. Hard to split. Maybe Danedream? Not sure.
1:38am
Justin Cinque said | 1:38am | Report comment
PHOTO in the King George
Nathaniel or Danedream.
Reliable Man third.
SNA fourth.’
Dunaden sixth. Sea Moon fifth.
1:44am
Justin Cinque said | 1:44am | Report comment
SNA third.
Reliable fourth.
That’s the official placings.
1:37am
Justin Cinque said | 1:37am | Report comment
Dunaden takes the lead at the 800.
Brown Panther close.
Swinging for home.
SNA last. Sea Moon pocketed.
Nathaniel out and chasing.
1:36am
Justin Cinque said | 1:36am | Report comment
1400 out.
Robin Hood from Dunaden.
Deep Brillante midfield still but with cover. Sea Moon back. St Nicholas back.
1:36am
Justin Cinque said | 1:36am | Report comment
Dunaden on speed. Robin Hood a bit slow early punches throught to lead.
Brown Panther close.
Sea Moon back the fence. Nathaniel midfield.
Deep Brillante wide – in the true Japanese tradition.
St Nicholas Abbey last.
1:35am
Justin Cinque said | 1:35am | Report comment
All in now.
Enjoy this!
Racing now!!
Even start.
1:34am
Justin Cinque said | 1:34am | Report comment
Deep Brillante and Nathaniel are in the stalls. We’re getting set for the big one!!
1:34am
Justin Cinque said | 1:34am | Report comment
About to load for the King George.
1:33am
Justin Cinque said | 1:33am | Report comment
St Nicholas Abbey has got hot behind the stalls.
Well that takes some confidence away from me. Probably the hotest of all the runners I’ve seen. I don’t think he did this at Epsom.
1:33am
Justin Cinque said | 1:33am | Report comment
Sky commentators confirming this is out of the norm! But he looks relaxed, just feeling the heat?
1:32am
Justin Cinque said | 1:32am | Report comment
Brown Panther beat Lost In The Moment by seven lengths at his latest start.
LITM finished sixth in the Melb CUp last year.
1:30am
Justin Cinque said | 1:30am | Report comment
She’s here! Queen Elizabeth looks on from the Royal Box.
Yet to see St Nicholas Abbey.
Behind the stalls.
1:30am
Justin Cinque said | 1:30am | Report comment
Sea Moon looks outstanding. Very muscular animal. His coat looks well. He’s very relaxed. Like him in the yard! Have him fourth or fifth on form.
1:29am
Justin Cinque said | 1:29am | Report comment
Reliable Man – one of the better roughies perhaps – is bouncing around.
David Raphael says he looks much better today than he did at the Royal meeting.
1:28am
Justin Cinque said | 1:28am | Report comment
Nathaniel on screen now.
Looks quite relaxed. He’s minding his own business. Just waves his tail around. I can’t fault him.
1:27am
Justin Cinque said | 1:27am | Report comment
I think there’s only one horse that could run in the Melbourne Cup after this race and that is Dunaden who is unlikely.
If Deep Brillante did accept his Cox Plate invitation, it wouldn’t surprise me to see him back up in the Melb Cup but he declined the invitation so won’t be coming downunder.
1:25am
Justin Cinque said | 1:25am | Report comment
No, was premature. They’re loading for a race at Newmarket.
Ten minutes to the King George – and the only Australian broadcaster is showing races at Ripon and Newmarket. C’mon!
We haven’t even had a look at any of the big guns yet!!
1:24am
Justin Cinque said | 1:24am | Report comment
Muffin McLeay wins at Ripon and now we’re back to the Ascot parade ring.
1:23am
Justin Cinque said | 1:23am | Report comment
A race at Ripon in Yorkshire disrupts our yard watching. Back to it shortly.
1:21am
Justin Cinque said | 1:21am | Report comment
Dunaden looks very well.
Masked Marvel – one of the roughies. Frankie Dettori rides. He’d have to surprise to win this. Looked okay.
1:20am
Justin Cinque said | 1:20am | Report comment
Horses in the parade.
Brown Panther looks well in the coat. He walks out well. He’s on the toe.
1:18am
Justin Cinque said | 1:18am | Report comment
I wonder how much tactics will play a part tonight.
In the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, tactics decided the race. Sea Moon was ridden brilliantly and was able to use his tactical speed to help him win the race, while Dunaden was very unlucky – tactics worked against him, as did a less than inspiring ride by Christoff Lemaire.
Tonight, Australian Craig Williams, who partnered the horse to victory in the Geelong Cup, reunites with Dunaden. I think he’s going to run the race of his life. And in my opinion, if he was to win this race, it would trump his performances to win the Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase. He would be the champion of three of world’s great races in three continents. One of the greatest. And I suppose that’s why his owner – Sheik Fahad – wants to win the Arc.
1:13am
Justin Cinque said | 1:13am | Report comment
I’m looking forward to assessing these horses in the parade. I wonder who will be the standout on looks.
1:12am
Justin Cinque said | 1:12am | Report comment
Raphael making a good case for the former French Derby winner Reliable Man. He finished fourth behind SYT, Carlton House and Farhh in the Prince of Wales’s.
I think he needs to find a new level to win today. I’m not sure he’s up to the best of these.
1:10am
Justin Cinque said | 1:10am | Report comment
We are waiting the appearance of the runners in the parade.
The King George is 25 minutes away.
1:10am
Justin Cinque said | 1:10am | Report comment
David Raphael of Sky Racing World urging punters to forgive Danedream’s poor performance last time at Saint Cloud and treat her on her run previous at G2 in Germany when she won by a small margin. Raphael says Danedream didn’t handle the going at Saint Cloud.
That may be true but I thought she was entitled to be better last time and in my opinion a German G2 is not good enough for this. Danedream would need to find her Arc form to win this race in my opinion.
1:14am
Justin Cinque said | 1:14am | Report comment
But if Danedream did run up her to Arc rating, she would win this. SHe’s an outstanding mare at her best.
1:06am
Justin Cinque said | 1:06am | Report comment
When watching a replay of Nathaniel’s win in the Eclipse earlier this evening, I thoroughly impressed by his strength. My initial viewing of the race was in a pub in the city of Sydney, with no volume on the TV showing the race and with the punters blarring out some pretty poor kareoke.
1:04am
Justin Cinque said | 1:04am | Report comment
I fell in love with St Nicholas Abbey at Epsom in the Coronation. It was not a strong field but he was very good on a great day for Ballydoyle and Aiden O’Brien. St Nicholas Abbey’s stablemate Camelot won the Derby shortly after SNA’s victory over Red Cadeaux in the Coronation.
1:02am
Justin Cinque said | 1:02am | Report comment
Looks like there’s about 20,000 in to watch this running of the King George. I think that may be a little bit disappointing. Last week there were 40000 at York to watch Mount Athos burst into Melbourne Cup calculations.
This King George field deserves the 80,000 that came to watch Black Caviar at this track four Saturdays ago.
12:58am
Justin Cinque said | 12:58am | Report comment
Field of dreams wins.
My tip – Global Village – misses a place in a 29-horse field by one position – he finished fourth. How good do I feel?
12:52am
Justin Cinque said | 12:52am | Report comment
Horses are behind the gates for the King George prelude – the 29-horse International Stakes. Massive Heritage Handicap field to go around.
12:54am
Justin Cinque said | 12:54am | Report comment
I’ve had a sneaky place wager on Global Village. I thought he was good behind Eton Forever at Royal Ascot.
12:50am
Justin Cinque said | 12:50am | Report comment
So we’re 45 minutes away from the King George.
It’s interesting to see how these horses go in the ground today. It’s been a wet July in England. Last week the rain caused heavy tracks across the country but this week the weather seems to have been better.
The Ascot track is rated a dead or slow good-to-soft and that means there’s plenty of give in the ground for those who like it. We learnt at Sandown that Nathaniel loves soft ground.
The mail is that Deep Brillante won’t be effective on anything too soft. I wonder how he’ll find the ground.
Dunaden and Sea Moon will have no problems in this going. They performed well at Royal Ascot in similar ground.
12:37am
Justin Cinque said | 12:37am | Report comment
So an hour away from the King George tonight.
The Roar’s editor Tristan Rayner did a very good job of compiling the preview above.
I’ll give my brief analysis on tonight’s race:
I think this is a very even field. There is little separating the top four in the market in my opinion – Nathaniel (3.5), Sea Moon (3.6), St Nicholas Abbey (4.8) and Dunaden (6).
I’m prepared to take a set against the Arc winner Danedream She was atrocious behind Meandre at Saint Cloud.
The horse that is hard to line up is the Japanese horse Deep Brillante. Japanese stayers are world class. The sire of the Deep Brillante is Deep Impact – one of the great Japanese stayers. He finished third in the Arc de Triomphe a few years ago. Deep Brillante’s timeform rating of 121 is a bit behind a few of these but I’m prepared to give him an outside chance.
I’m tipping St Nicholas Abbey tonight. I think he’s a super horse 2400m and will be suited by the good-to-soft going.
Nathaniel is my second selection. He’s such an impressive horse. He had the speed and precociousness to run Frankel to half length over 1400 metres at two, the class to win this race at three. He won an Eclipse this year over 2000 metres as well. Serious, grand performer. He’s gets the second nod.
I think Dunaden can turn the tables on Sea Moon and take third. As Tristan noted above, Dunaden was unlucky in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and I think he’s ready to run a big race, run a place and be prepared for the Arc.
12:29am
Justin Cinque said | 12:29am | Report comment
I’m not sure about the Prince of Wales’s form at the moment.
So You Think won that race very well. He beat Carlton House who disappointed at Group Two tonight. The third horse in race was Farhh who was a little disappointing when tiring in second place in the Eclipse behind Nathaniel.
Is that Prince of Wales’s form not much chop? Maybe Nathaniel beating Farhh by a small margin isn’t as good a form as we think. Before Royal Ascot, Farhh was a handicapper.
1:34pm
johnny nevin is a legend said | 1:34pm | Report comment
Carlton House always finds one or two too good for him at Group 1 level, the fact that he can’t even win yesterdays Group 2 confirms hes an average horse. Godolphin horses have a history of being progressive sorts the older they get, Grandera and Fantastic Light didn’t win a Group 1 until they were 4 year olds. However Farhh has made a big leap from handicap company, I’m not too sure about his early days, I assume he was injured as he was lightly raced.
12:25am
Justin Cinque said | 12:25am | Report comment
Fanunalter wins for Olivier Peslier at 50/1 on the totes. My dear.
Carlton House was very flat. He didn’t give a big kick. He finished fifth. Poor performance really.
12:24am
Justin Cinque said | 12:24am | Report comment
Carlton House asked to come. DOes it tough but finds the lead . Ready to be beaten.
12:24am
Justin Cinque said | 12:24am | Report comment
Carlton House settles much better now. He races outside the speed.
Tullius is pocketed as they swing for home.
12:23am
Justin Cinque said | 12:23am | Report comment
Racing in the Group Two Summer Mile.
Carlton House began well. He goes to the lead. He races keenly on a face speed.
The main danger Tullius is up there.
12:21am
Justin Cinque said | 12:21am | Report comment
The horses are behind the barrier for the Summer Mile. Carlton House is a short favourite. I thought he was very good at Ascot. I expect him to this. I think he’s got too much class for his rivals. I wonder if the Queen is at Ascot tonight. I think she may be.
12:18am
Justin Cinque said | 12:18am | Report comment
I read a disturbing story about the health of Irish racing earlier in the week. Betting turnover is well down. It’s bad signs for the industry up there.
http://racenet.com.au/news/ArcStory.asp?id=81783
That story was written was Clinton Payne, who had a dog he owns run at Wentworth Park in Sydney tonight. Saw Clinton at the Dogs, I wonder what he made of Book Of Shadows disappointing last place finish.
12:15am
Justin Cinque said | 12:15am | Report comment
The 2009 Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner was due go at the Curragh at 12:45am but he was not an acceptor on heavy ground in Ireland. Only three horses going round in the Minstrel Stakes.
12:12am
Justin Cinque said | 12:12am | Report comment
In ten minutes, the Queen’s horse Carlton House runs at Ascot over a 1600 metres in the Summer Mile. He’s dropping back from 2000 after running second to So You Think on the second day of Royal Ascot. He’s currently trading at around $1.6-7 but I think he’ll win.
That’s race 3 at Ascot tonight. The King George VI and QE Stakes is the sixth on the card.
12:08am
Justin Cinque said | 12:08am | Report comment
Good morning Roarers! And welcome to tonight’s coverage of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. If you love your racing, stick around as we bring you coverage of the race of 2012.
What a field it is.
We have an Arc Winner, Eclipse Winner, Breeder’s Cup Turf Winner, English St Leger Winner, Japanese Derby Winner in tonight’s race – this is a European Cox Plate. A vintage running of one of the world’s great races.
Two weeks ago, I wrote a story that included my top 15 horses in the world. Three horses I rate in the top ten run in this race – St Nicholas Abbey (five), Danedream (six), Nathaniel (nine).
Dunaden, the Melbourne Cup winner runs tonight and we want to him to run worse that than third because if he does, I understand he’ll be coming to Australia for another go at the Cup. If he places tonight, he stays in France and is prepared for the Arc de Triomphe.
Deep Brillante, makes his way from Japan for this. He was invited for the Cox Plate last month but the invitation was declined. I just heard that since 1928 only one non-European has won a Group One over ten furlongs or more in England and that horse is So You Think – so history is against Deep Brillante tonight.
We’ll be building to this race which is due to go at 1:35am. It’s going to be a cracker.