Dunaden up for victory in King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot
Dunaden is geared up to fancy his chances in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, being held at Royal Ascot on Saturday, July 21st. The 6-year-old is stepping into this battle after finishing second behind Sea Moon in the Hardwicke Stakes
here last month.
Last year's Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase champion faced plenty of mess in the Group 2 meeting. In the hands of Christophe-Patrice Lemaire, he progressed throughout the final furlong, but failed to make an impression on the winner.
As a result, M. Delzangles’ trainee missed the top spot by three and a quarter lengths. Despite the fact that Dunaden is yet to open his account this season, the connections are quite hopeful for a positive outcome.
David Redvers, racing manager for owners Pearl Bloodstock, told At The Races: "He's thrived since the Hardwicke, he thrives on his racing. If you saw him in the paddock at Ascot you couldn't fail to be impressed by his physical well being."
He added: "I'm capable of saying silly-sounding things, but I'm not actually worried about the opposition. I'm worried about him getting a clear run because he has to come from off the pace as that's his style, and it would be cruel if he ran into trouble
again."
Owned by Pearl Bloodstock Ltd, the bay horse was super impressive last season. He signed out for the year after clinching three consecutive triumphs. He won the Grade 3 Centrebet Geelong Cup at Geelong, before presenting a fabulous show in the Group 1 Emirates
Melbourne Cup at Flemington in Australia.
The latest of his wins hit the headlines in December, when he topped the table in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Today’s £567,100 meeting has attracted an international line-up including Danedream, who will be saddled by P. Schiergen. The 4-year-old filly was fourth behind Meandre in the Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud at Saint-cloud.
On Danedream’s chances in the testing conditions, the rider stated: “She's run on good ground, soft ground and heavy ground, so the going is soft and it shouldn't be so bad.”
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