Ascot grounds unlikely to dry up before the opening of the Royal meeting
With the prestigious Royal Ascot just around the corner, connections of the runners have grave concerns about the surface of the track.
Chris Stickels, who is clerk of the course at Ascot, stated that the ground is heavy in some parts because of the rain over the past couple of days.
To the press, he stated:
"We've had 55 millimetres since 9pm on Sunday. It's been horrendously wet and we are soft ground now. There is the odd heavy patch around Swinley Bottom, but there aren't many of them.
"The indications are the next two or three days should be a bit better. I can't say we are going to be completely dry or really drying conditions, but there isn't much rain forecast. It looks as if the weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday - may bring
more significant rain.”
Stickels stated that once the Royal meeting starts, more rain is expected to fall, emphasising that the runners will be fortunate if the ground dries up before the meeting.
The meet at Royal Ascot is due to begin on 19th June, 2012, and close on 23rd
June, 2012, comprising of many prestigious races.
Stickels told the press that there is a possibility that the ground will not dry up for the opening card and the runners may face difficulty.
On 19th June, 2012, three races of the Group 1 category will be hosted including The Queen Anne Stakes, The King’s Stand Stakes and the St. James’s Palace Stakes, while the Group 2 Coventry Stakes will also be held on the same
day.
Frankel, Sir Henry Cecil’s undefeated wonder-horse, will compete in the Queen Anne Stakes, where his performance is highly anticipated.
The son of Galileo, out of mare Kind, will compete in his eleventh start and is hoping to secure the eleventh consecutive victory of his career.
The ground will definitely test his stamina against some tough competitors, who will not make things easier for him.
Peter Moody’s star runner, Black Caviar, will compete in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on 23rd June, 2012.
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