3 minute read

Let's look at the major market moves for Day One at Royal Ascot.

MARKET MOVES ROYAL ASCOT DAY ONE - 2011

We'll give you a bit of run down as to who is being backed at the time of publication with the TAB.

DAY ONE – 14 JUNE 2011

11.30pm AEST

Race 1: The Queen Anne Stks (G1)

('10 winner Goldikova 11-8f)

This should be a great duel on and off track between last year's winner Goldikova and the Ascot specialist and top horse Canford Cliffs. The grand mare is $2.40 and fairly solid while the younger horse is easy out to $2.30 and it appears totally between them. It would probably be a great surprise if the only other runner given a chance Cape Blanco ($8.50) could win.

12.05am AEST

Race 2: The King's Stand Stks (G1)

('10 winner Equiano 9-2)

Australia's interest on the first day centres around the race we've made our own winning it four times. Can Star Witness back up his straight form back home and cement this country's reputation again? He is $3.50 favourite to do just that. But there are challengers in the form of Sole Power after his Temple Stks win. He did win the Nunthorpe over Starspangledbanner last year and is out to $8.50 here. Also Sweet Sanette ($14) from Hong Kong brings in a last start win over Sacred Kingdom as her credentials.

12.45am AEST

Race 3: The St James's Palace Stks (G1)

('10 winner Canford Cliffs 11-4f)

Hardly worth talking about the betting here. Frankel will stifle most markets and is heavily backed into $1.26. Actually surprised he is not even shorter. Only other horse around double figures is last start German 2000 Guineas winner Excelebration ($11). He won by seven, was second to Frankel in the Greenham and interestingly is by Exceed And Excel. Will be fascinating to see how Japanese runner Grand Prix Boss runs. He won the G1 mile in Tokyo last time with Craig Williams up and is $17 here.

1.25am AEST

Race 4: The Coventry Stks (G2)

('10 winner Strong Suit 15-8f)

The Coventry for the youngsters is a lottery as it can be. Power ($5) for Aidan O'Brien is unbeaten in Ireland and will be hard to beat but has to lift. Mezmaar only comes off a maiden win but did the job well and sits at $5.50. Watch for the market movers in this race.

2.00am AEST

Race 5: The Ascot Stks (Hcp)

('10 winner Junior 17-2)

One for the stayers here and Junior tries for back to back wins in the race. He is $5 and looks hard to toss off last start. Challengers in the market include Zigato ($5.50) from the John Gosden yard and he looked good over two miles in May. The other one in betting is Veiled ($6). She is by Sadler's Wells so this trip is only going to help as is any rain. Could be value.

2.35am AEST

Race 6: The Windsor Castle Stks (Listed)

('10 winner Marine Commando 9-2)

Coming off a six length romp, Frederick Engels ($4.60) seems to be hard to beat in the Windsor Castle. He might want the track firm but is right in the market. Gentlemans Code is an American runner and Wesley Ward caused mayhem a few years back. Could it happen again - $7 to find out. Another recent maiden winner was Worthington and she is $9. There has been some wide moves for Mitie Mouse ($51 to $35) and Monnoyer ($26 to $19).

*** Prices are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change ***