by JOHN SINCLAIR Barney Roy produced one of the upsets of Royal Ascot when he beat Churchill in the St James’s Palace Stakes last week. The three year old gained revenge for his defeat in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier in the campaign as he impressed in the one-mile contest at the Berkshire racecourse. Ridden by his usual pilot James Doyle, the pair made their effort at the two furlong pole and battled on strongly to deny Lancaster Bomber victory.
Richard Hannon’s colt is likely to step up against older horses next time out in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where he looks a good bet at 4/1 to pick up another Group One success. He is set to take on Ribchester who is the odds-on favourite for the contest following his victory in the Queen Anne Stakes, while Mutakayyef and Somehow both have entries in the race.
Barney Roy should continue to improve as he progresses this season. As pointed out in the Oddschecker preview of the St James’s Palace Stakes, he was very unfortunate in the Guineas where he did not get a clear run in what was the sole defeat of his career so far. Doyle is likely to be more prominent at Goodwood, while the field size will be much smaller than he encountered at Newmarket.
Speed Queen Lady Aurelia Should Prove Too Quick Again In Nunthorpe Stakes
Arguably one of the performances of the week at Royal Ascot was in the King’s Stand Stakes on day one of the meeting where Lady Aurelia was far too quick for her rivals over five furlongs. Wesley Ward’s runner hit the front early into the contest and never allowed any of her opponents to challenge.
The three-year-old filly stepped up to six furlongs last summer in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket where she didn’t quite look as effective over the long trip. She is likely to remain at five furlongs for the rest of the year where she could clean up in her division if her connections decide to tackle some of the leading races in Europe, including the Prix de l’Abbaye at the Arc Meeting in October at Chantilly.
The challenge to Lady Aurelia in the Nunthorpe at York is likely to come from Marsha who had no excuses when finishing in behind the American sprinter at Ascot. The former Group One runner has to be respected though but she will need a career best performance. As long as the ground does not come up too soft at the Yorkshire track, Ward’s filly will hit the front again and should record her sixth victory in seven starts.
Selections
Barney Roy to win the Sussex Stakes 4/1
Lady Aurelia to win the Nunthorpe Stakes 11/10
Hi John,
I wonder if Barney Roy will take on his same owners Ribchester in the Sussex? He is being touted for a run in the Eclipse on Saturday week. If he wins that race, might he not be aimed at the Juddmonte at York?
If he fails to stay the trip, I would suggest that a run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville might be the preferred option. This is, of course, the first Group 1 race that Ribchester captured last year. However it pans out, some potentially great races ahead, especially if Churchill recaptures his best form. If Churchill is back to his best, I think he will win the Sussex. If not, perhaps we will not see him again.
All the talk over Royal Ascot was that Godolphin were back, and that Coolmore better beware. This is rubbish.
Most of Godolphin’s success was from horses that they had purchased from other yards. It had absolutely nothing to do with their breeding operation. Ribchester, Barney Roy, Atty Persse, Jack Hobbs (finished last)were not bred by Godolphin, they were bought from other owners. Their only home breds were Benbatl, Sound And Silence, and the gelding Rare Rhythm.
Godolphin would seem to have a mountain to climb if they are to overtake Coolmore in the near future. Although Dubawi is a good stallion, he is not in the same league as Galileo or Deep Impact. Has he ever had a runner finish in the first four in the Derby, the race that really matters? Perhaps Golden Horn can reverse the trend in a few years time. I really hope so, because racing needs Godolphin to be competitive in the top middle distance races, not just occasionally, but on a regular basis.
Changing the subject slightly, I would agree that Lady Aurelia looks nailed on for the Nunthorpe, she is head and shoulders above the other five furlong sprinters. Wouldn’t it be great if she were to meet Caravaggio on the track? Alas, I don’t think that will ever happen, unless Lady Aurelia is allowed to take her chance Down Under in the new ten million dollar Everest Sprint at Royal Randwick. Now that would be some confrontation, Lady Aurelia, Caravaggio, and the best Aussie, Hong Kong, and Japanese sprinters.
John, I look forward to your next contribution, always a good read. Cheers.