As Glorious Goodwood rolls on, Friday’s main event sees the King George take centre stage as Asfoora looks to prove her growing worth.
Won last year by the sadly missed Highfield Princess, the Group 2 contest may not the most glittering accolade, but can set many a runner in the right direction.
And for the Australian raider, that is very much the case.
Aussie rule
Winding back the clock to Royal Ascot earlier this summer, Asfoora arrived in Berkshire with genuine hope of following Nature Strip in Australian tradition of winning the King Charles III Stakes (formerly the Kings Stand).
However, with no less than six Group 1 failures on the record sheet, there were sizeable doubts as to whether the 5yo mare was up the task.
Said concerns were then swept away.
🇦🇺 Asfoora for Australia!
She scorched home in the King Charles III Stakes for @oismurphy & @henrydwyer #ITVRacing | #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/gZCe3pUVUO
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 18, 2024
An 11/4f BigEvs found the ground a little too firm on the day, Asfoora put on a late surge to take the Royal Ascot crown by a length over Callum Rodriguez and Regional.
As far as this week is concerned, the first three days of Glorious Goodwood have indeed lived up to the moniker, with the turf firmer than for some time in sizzling conditions.
A big plus for Asfoora here were the rain storms forecast for Thursday that failed to materialise in any meaningful way, leaving the ground likely good to firm once more.
The deck at Ascot in June was similarly nippy for a then ecstatic trainer in Henry Dwyer, and with Oisin Murphy in tow once more, the pieces could be falling into place again.
Big revenge?
As noted, BigEvs was a disappointment in coming home third at the Royal Meet, but here, Mick Appleby’s popular colt gets a crack at vengeance.
On paper, his chances are good, but would perhaps have preferred an extra dousing of rain that hasn’t come.
Nevertheless, as the reigning Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint champ, and having won the Windsor Stakes on faster ground, a better showing is surely in the offing.
Of the returning field from the King Charles III, Believing, Kerdos and Makarova face up both BigEvs and Asfoora, with the bookies seeing George Boughey’s 4yo as capable of the biggest fight.
Having picked up the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh less than a fortnight ago, Believing could make his backers keep doing so, not least with a good track record on firm ground.
However, for our money, it feels like the De’Lemos partnership is due a strike with Live in the Dream.
Winner of last year’s Nunthorpe, it is now five without a win for the son of Prince Of Lir.
Only fourth to BigEvs at Santa Anita, Live in the Dream still looks a great alternative punt at 11/1 with SpreadEx.
The King George Qatar Stakes takes place on Friday at 3:35pm UK time.
