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Preview
29 September 2007
QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES
An intriguing renewal of the QEII Stakes, where ten go to post,
for what looks to be one of the strongest mile races run this
season. Five Group One winners run, including this season's 2000
Guineas runner up Vital Equine and Duke of Marmalade, a horse that
has been contesting all the big Group One races this season. Also,
Nannina and Cesare represent the Cheveley Park team. Let's get
straight to the horses that should be fighting out the finish.
Darjina is now the clear favourite at 9/4, with the absence of
George Washington. She is a deservedly favourite. She had Ramonti
held in second earlier in the month on home soil, when receiving a
weight allowance for being a three year old. As a filly, she again
receives weight all round today. There seems no reason why Ramonti
should reverse the placings with her on similar conditions.
Darjina's only defeat in her career has come over this course and
distance at the Royal meeting in June. The trainer (Royer Dupre) did
put this down to the ground, so connections would have been hoping
for more rain (which hasn't been the case). The most interesting
runner to me is Excellent Art, who like Darjina also ran at Royal
Ascot when coming from last to first under today's jockey Jamie
Spencer. Excellent Art then finished second (beaten a head) to
Ramonti in the Sussex Stakes, but had a valid excuse. (struggled for
racing room on the rails and once the gaps came it was to late to
get into top gear) In a rematch between the two today, I believe
Excellent Art can reverse the placings. Even though Excellent Art
has to be held up off the pace to be at his best. Vital Equine has
been off the track for some time, since last seen finishing 6th
behind Cockney Rebel in the Irish 2000 Guineas and has a lot to
find, after such a long break. He may just need the run. Cesare has
to be respected having won three races here from his four. Those
starts all coming over today's mile trip, but could it be argued
that is he up to taking a Group One race of this standard? You can
put a line through Nannina's last run. She obviously isn't at her
best at a mile and a quarter, but back to a mile today she would
have to be a player if the ground were to come up fast. Otherwise, I
can not see her getting competitive on anything slower than good.
Duke of Marmalade is a horse that has been running in the best Group
One races this season and also running without disgrace, when last
seen just 1 1/2 lengths behind Dylan Thomas in the Irish Champion
Stakes. This was possibly a career best effort, but Excellent Art
holds him on St James Palace form. I'm sure there is still a race to
be won with Duke of Marmalade this season, but it's unlikely that
this will be the race today. Dunelight is likely to go off blazing
up the rail, making this a true end to end gallop. This can only
suit the likely tactics of Excellent Art, ridden by Jamie Spencer,
who will need a strong pace to ensure he can sweep past them all
inside the final furlong and win the QEII Stakes for a second year
running for trainer Aidan O'Brien. .
Selection –
1pt WIN Excellent Art @ 9/4 Corals/BetFred/Bet365
Woody
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