The perfect opportunity for Sharing
AMERICAN raider Sharing is fancied to land the Coronation Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot this afternoon.
She had a number of European rivals behind her when winning the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at odds of 16/1 last year and was successful in her seasonal reappearance at Churchill Downs a few weeks ago.
Quadrilateral looks set to go off favourite for the race after finishing third in the 1,000 Guineas, while Frankie Dettori is an eye-catching jockey booking for the Jessica Harringtontrained Alpine Star.
But with champion jockey Oisin Murphy booked to ride Sharing for English-born American trainer Graham Motion (above), she could take some stopping.
The Coronation is the first of three Group Ones on a brilliant card, with the St James’ Palace Stakes next up at 3pm.
It sees a rematch between the 2,000 Guineas second and third in Wichita and Pinatubo.
Wichita was a length ahead of last year’s star two-year-old on that occasion and I think Aidan O’brien’s runner can uphold that form today.
Don’t be surprised to see O’brien’s other runner Arizona leave his Guineas run behind him and run a big race today at a double figure price, but preference is for Wichita.
One of the stories of the week could come in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes if Irish runner Sceptical can land the spoils.
Bought for just £2,800, the Denis Hogan-trained four-year-old has won his last four starts and was extremely impressive when winning a listed race in his last run at Naas.
He is the highest rated sprinter in Ireland and although this is a big step up to what he has achieved so far, I think he will take all the beating with Frankie Dettori on board and he is the nap of the weekend.
Speak In Colours is the only other Irish runner in the race for Joseph O’brien and he looks up against it.
There could be another Irish winner earlier on the card in More Beautiful, who runs in the Queen Mary Stakes.
She looked very smart when winning on debut at Naas 12 days ago and being trained by Aidan O’brien she is open to any amount of improvement.
American trainer Wesley Ward’s runners are always feared over five furlongs at this meeting and Campanelle could be the biggest danger to the favourite.