Rob Wright reckons speedy foreign raider can take centre stage on the final day of Royal Ascot and fancies 25-1 chance in the Wokingham.
The speedy Sacred Kingdom, trained in Hong Kong by Ricky Yiu, is strongly fancied to land the group one Golden Jubilee Stakes (3.45) today.
Scenic Blast, the Australian raider, put up a brilliant display to take the week's other group one speed test and Sacred Kingdom arrives here with similarly strong credentials. Rated the best sprinter in the world in 2007, he lost his form last year after being injured but still shared top spot in the rankings with Marchand D'Or.
Sacred Kingdom has bounced back to his best this term and showed a good turn of foot to beat Rocket Man by a neck, with Diabolical a further 3 lengths back in third, in the group one International Sprint in Singapore last month. That was his first venture outside Hong Kong and, according to his trainer, he is relishing his new roving role. “He's travelled well and looks terrific. It looks like he's enjoying this trip even better than the one to Singapore,” Yiu said.
Blessed with a high cruising speed, Sacred Kingdom should be able to track the front-running J J The Jet Plane before cutting him down in the closing stages.
Pick of the home team is Kingsgate Native. He won this race 12 months ago when trained by John Best and was retired to stud. However, having failed to get any mares in foal, Kingsgate Native was returned to training with Sir Michael Stoute and, despite his lengthy absence from the track, he has to be respected.
Jimmy Styles and Genki both have solid claims in the Wokingham Stakes (4.25), but Exclamation is a better value option at a general 25-1. Lightly raced, he ran a cracker when third to Evens And Odds on his penultimate start at Newmarket and was unsuited by softer ground when below par at Newbury last time. The lightning fast surface here will be more to his liking and he can bounce back to form.
Dansant is better known for his exploits on the all-weather, but can spring a surprise in the Hardwicke Stakes (3.05). He showed that he is just as effective on turf when a close fourth to Sixties Icon in group three company at Goodwood last August, despite appearing not to handle that undulating track, and looked as good as ever when defying a penalty to win a listed race at Kempton Park in March. He goes well when fresh, so a three-month break is not a concern, and rates the best bet of the day at the 10-1 offered by totesport.
Heron Bay has not got his head in front since landing the King George V Handicap here two years ago, but has come down the weights as a result and can finally take advantage in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (5.00). Formerly trained by Geoff Wragg, he has been tried over shorter in two runs since joining Chris Wall, shaping as though retaining his ability on each occasion. Under more suitable conditions, he rates a fair bet at 22-1 with totesport.
Shakespearean should relish a step up to seven furlongs for the Chesham Stakes (2.30), while Tasheba can take the Queen Alexandra Stakes (5.35). Formerly trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, he showed useful form for Nicky Henderson over hurdles during the winter and can continue his improvement back on the level.
Source:The times
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