As Ascot hosts one of the summer’s marquee Group 1 contests this weekend, Auguste Rodin looks primed to make it second time lucky in Saturday’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
With less than a week to go until Glorious Goodwood, beforehand, the next stop on the flat season calendar returns to Berkshire.
The highlight of Diamond Weekend, an 11-strong field are set to line up for a winning prize just shy of three-quarters-of-a-millions pounds.
And, for Auguste Rodin, after a no-show of 12 months ago, trainer Aidan O’Brien looks for a back-to-back season double.
Take Two
It was one of the turn-ups of last term, as 13/2 Hukum won the 2023 King George.
However, the bigger story was Auguste Rodin finishing flat last.
Arriving at Ascot off the back of winning both Derby and Irish Derby, the 9/4f and his number one mount, Ryan Moore, the 3yo colt put on by far his worst showing to date.
Having been raced out wide to avoid the softer ground, Moore could not get the best from his steed, who, held up in the rear, eased up well before the final furlong.
Putting that no-show into context though, the rain that had fell in West Sussex on the eve of the race was a huge factor.
This year’s edition is set to be much more suited to Auguste Rodin, particularly the ground which has firmed up to almost ideal pace conditions after a rare spell of dry weather this season.
Pipped to the Tattersalls Gold Cup earlier this year on slightly yielding ground by White Birch, Rodin proved his liking to firm turf, with a relatively comfortable win in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out.
If the ground plays ball, the field will have to go some to take down Auguste Rodin this weekend.
Path to victory
His chances were further boosted significantly as stablemate City of Troy was withdrawn by Aidan O’Brien.
With the winner of the Derby and Coral Eclipse now set for the Juddmonte next month, Auguste Rodin’s two rivals in the King George hail from two Newmarket Studs.
As Ralph Beckett hands Bluestocking the golden ticket, Godolphin look to bring the other angle to the party, as Charlie Appleby eyes a second King George, after Adayar in 2021.
For Bluestocking, as the lone filly in the race, the 4yo gets her chance to shine once more.
Coming off wins in the Pretty Polly and Middleton Fillies’, the daughter of Camelot seeks a third victory on the trot, having finally blossomed from a burgeoning 3yo reputation.
Now a progressive girl on the track, can Bluestocking make the step-up in trip back to 1m4f, having been runner-up twice over the distance?
The filly has questions to answer over the firmer ground, but carries great hope.
Rebel’s Romance is just too good! The boys in blue land the @StanChart Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin… 🏆 #HKracing pic.twitter.com/iEgGm1Ow7y
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 26, 2024
Meanwhile, Rebel’s Romance eyes a fabulous fifth win on the bounce, but will have no concerns over the faster ground.
With the Sheema Classic already in the bag, the 6yo gelding’s last appearance saw a successive Group 1 glory in the Champions and Chater Group Cup at Sha Tin.
Of interest to note., the horse that again finished flat last in Meydan was none other than Auguste Rodin.
If the former is off the ball, having won the Queen’s Plate two years ago, Rebel’s Romance can bring much love to the Godolphin stable, at 4/1 with William Hill.
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes takes place at Ascot on Saturday, race time 3:40pm UK time.
