Royal Ascot concludes on Saturday night Australian time, headlined by the Group l Jubilee Stakes (1207m). Racing expert, Adam Page has provided his three best bets for the day below. Good luck to everyone following along!
Royal Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday June 22 2024
Race 1: Chesham Stakes 1408m - 11.30pm AEST
On paper, an open race to start the program, but I do feel the each way play is (15) Expensive Rosie, a daughter of Australia who was a sharp winner over a similar trip to this at Carlisle last time. She did more than enough I thought in her debut performance at Pontefract and confirmed that effort with a dominant display at Carlisle, where she didn't beat much but was quite arrogant the way she went about. She has the 1400m lead up under the belt, which should hold her in good stead.
(14) Bedtime Story is by Frankel out of multiple Group l winner Mecca's Angel, so she is bred to be a star. Whether she gets to that level, time will tell, but she was sharp on debut at Leopardstown. Got into a decent spot off the speed and she got better as the race went on, drawing clear late to win and win well. Well found in early betting but has the O'Brien/Moore combo.
(12) Seaplane is a knockout hope. He was kept quite safe in betting on debut at Leicester and I thought ran a very credible race when second. Just not 100% sure he was happy on the wet ground so the firmer deck here should suit, he'll be better for the run under the belt and he too is another bred to be a good one, so watch the market.
(15) Expensive Rosie E/W
SP (1U/2U)
Race 2: Hardwicke Stakes 2406m - 12.05am Sunday AEST
I don't think it is the deepest edition of the Hardwicke but a winner is to be found and I think the class of (2) Continuous gets him home. His latter half of 2023 was outstanding, winning the Great Voltigeur at York before a dominant win in the St Leger. He then went to the Arc and was far from disgraced in a hot race. Resumes here, so the late market will be fascinating, but I'll back his class.
The fascinating runner is (8) Middle Earth for Team Gosden given Ciaron Maher has purchased a 50% share and wants to run the horse in the Melbourne Cup. He was a fantastic winner at Newbury last time, giving them a start and a beating, really attacking the line the last 200m to wear down the likely winner and nail it late. Good test here, but I think he runs well.
Speaking of Melbourne Cup, (4) Desert Hero was a horse touted as a potential horse for Flemington last year but connections decided to stay down under. Whether they take the gamble in 2024 is unknown. He resumed in the same Newbury race mentioned above and I thought was poor after seemingly getting a decent enough run in transit. Fitter, he has runs on the board to say don't dismiss him.
(2) Continuous
$2.20 (3 Units)
Race 4: Jersey Stakes 1408m - 1.25am Sunday AEST
The standout on the program to me comes via (14) River Tiber, a smart three-year-old colt with the Aidan O'Brien polish with Ryan Moore to steer. This guy resumed in the Irish 2000 Guineas at Curragh over the mile where he seemingly had every chance but he stayed on quite well and was only beaten just over a length by Rosallion, who was impressive on Tuesday when winning the St James's Palace. Like him back to 1400m, he has the run under the belt… keen to play.
I thought the only threat was the horse that beat River Tiber at Curragh when running second, (1) Haatem. He was on speed throughout under Jamie Spencer and tried his guts out but just couldn't quite see it through and was run down late by Rosallion. He is another that is suited back to 1400m and with his racing style, he'll take beating from on speed.
For value, I can entertain (11) Native American. He didn't fire a shot and was terrible when resuming over 1800m at Newmarket but he found positive form when dropping back to 1400m at Epsom when near the front and looked the winner when loomed but had to settle for a close up second. Not sure he wins, doubt it very much, but can run top four without surprising.
(14) River Tiber
$2.80 (5 Units)
