Royal Ascot continues Wednesday night Australian time, headlined by the Prince Of Wales's Stakes (2004m), with globe trotter Auguste Rodin favourite over star mare Inspiral. Racing expert, Adam Page has done the form and provides his best bets for Day 2 at Royal Ascot below!
Royal Ascot Racing Tips: Wednesday June 18th 2024
Race 2: Queen's Vase 2847m - 12.05am Thursday AEST
My best bet for the entire Royal Ascot Carnival is (4) Illinois, trained by Aidan O'Brien with Ryan Moore to steer. Son of Galileo that was trying to force his way into the Derby via the Derby Trial at Lingfield and while he ran well, he was no match for Ambiente Friendly, who ran second in the Derby. Illinois was held by that horse, but he kept chipping away under pressure and was actually good to the line. The rise in trip is fine, the depth here isn't deep and IMO, he has a fair bit on this lot.
Beware the unbeaten horse so I am respecting (1) Birdman. Irish raider who was a debut winner at Cork before repeating the dose at Navan over 2600m where he had the run of the race in transit before angling clear and he got better as the race went on to win. But, he wasn't exactly pulling away on the line so the rise in trip is the query, but he's unbeaten and has upside/progression.
(2) Grosvenor Square is a stablemate of Illinois that resumed in the Chester Vase and he was very one paced when asked for the effort but he stayed on and wasn't too bad in defeat when third to a very nice horse in Hidden Law. He'll have no issue with the trip. Lacks the class but is a must for exotics.
(4) Illinois
$3.20 (5 Units)
Race 3: Duke Of Cambridge Stakes 1603m - 12.45am Thursday AEST
I think the early markets have missed (12) Royal Dress. She looks to have returned in outstanding order. Thought she let down with purpose to win fresh at Goodwood before going to Epsom where she should have bolted in but just had no luck in the straight when wanting to build the revs and it ended up being a really ugly watch. Should get clear air this time around, firm ground ideal and she'll be strong late.
The market is going to be quite fascinating with (6) Laurel, who resumes for Team Gosden. This mare last raced in the Lockinge in 2023, some 13 months ago, and finished down the track behind a star, Modern Games, and most assumed she would be retired and head to the breeding barn. But, she's been kept in work for another campaign and the significant lead is that Ryan Moore has been booked to steer. Market will be the guide.
That race at Epsom mentioned above was won by (2) Breege. Lucky to win but she has to get some credit for putting herself into a winning position and then showing good ticker late to fend them off and get the win. Drawn out but will press forward and she has run well at Ascot previously. Needs to improve but every chance she does.
(12) Royal Dress E/W
$12/$3.40 (1U/2U)
Race 4: Prince Of Wales's Stakes 2004m - 1.25am Thursday AEST
This looks a lovely race for (2) Auguste Rodin to bounce back into the winners list. He was plain and flopped when resuming on World Cup Night at Meydan before going to the Tatts Gold Cup at Curragh where he tried his guts out and ran a much-improved race but wasn't as dynamic on the wet ground when second to White Birch. Firmer deck, hard fit, maps perfect...I think he's a good thing.
The fascinating runner in the race is (10) Inspiral, because there was talk she would head to the Queen Anne, but given the first up run, this race looked more logical and here she lobs. She resumed in the Lockinge at Newbury and ran well over the mile, but was very one paced when asked for the effort, so that is why the rise to 2000m looks ideal and at her best, she is one of the better mares in the world.
If you like Auguste Rodin, you have to give some respect to (1) Alflaila. He ran fifth behind Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes last year where he seemingly had every chance but was far from disgraced in defeat. He was a star in 2022 and only had the two runs last year so he's lightly raced, potentially has had issues, but his best is good enough to be dangerous.
(2) Auguste Rodin
$2.50 (5 Units)
