Carnival winners go for Royal Ascot success on day five

Racenews

23 June, 2017

Dubai World Cup Carnival winners Comicas and Prize Money feature among a 11-strong Godolphin team for the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot on Saturday, June 24.

Comicas (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) runs in the G1 highlight of the card, the six-furlong Diamond Jubilee Stakes, following a good third on soft turf in the G2 Duke Of York Stakes over the same trip at York on May 17.

The four-year-old ran three excellent races over six furlongs on dirt at Meydan, UAE, earlier this year, comfortably winning a handicap before going on to finish fourth in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal and then second in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night.

He takes on 18 other sprinters from stall six including last year’s Darley July Cup victor Limato and British Champions Sprint winner The Tin Man.

Charlie Appleby said: “Comicas produced a career best when finishing second in the Golden Shaheen and I felt that he put up a respectable effort back on turf at York last time.

“He came out of that race OK and has won on quick ground before, so the going shouldn’t be an issue. He has a bit to find on the ratings but I am hoping he can run well.”

Prize Money (Saeed bin Suroor/Pat Smullen), who tackles the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over a mile and a half, also thrived at Meydan this year, winning the 12-furlong G2 Dubai City Of Gold and finishing fourth over the same course and distance in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

The four-year-old son of Authorized, runner-up to Hawkbill in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, faded to ninth on his latest appearance in the G1 Coronation Cup, also over a mile and a half, at Epsom Downs on June 2.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “Prize Money ran well out in Dubai, winning the Dubai City Of Gold, but was disappointing on his latest start in the Coronation Cup.

“He came out of that race in good form and his last piece of work went well. I am looking for a better run from him.”

Kidmenever (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) was fourth to Prize Money in a Meydan handicap in February and the four-year-old, runner-up to Viren’s Army in another handicap at the course later the same month, lines up in the 10-furlong Listed Wolferton Handicap.

He is joined by Tumbaga (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre De Sousa), twice successful on the All-Weather in the UK, and Maverick Wave (John Gosden/James Doyle), a G3 scorer at Chester in 2015.

Charlie Appleby commented: “Kidmenever ran two creditable races out in Dubai and I have been delighted with his preparation. I think that he has all conditions to suit.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Tumbaga was disappointing out in Dubai but looks much better now and has been working well on turf.”

John Gosden remarked: “Maverick Wave has been disappointing but can run well when fresh and this is his first 2017 outing.”

Debut winners Masar (William Buick) and Gold Town (James Doyle), subsequently fifth in a pair of races including the Listed Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh, Ireland, on May 27, represent Charlie Appleby in the Listed Chesham Stakes over seven furlongs.

Charlie Appleby reported: “Masar pleased us when winning at Goodwood and the step up to seven furlongs is going to play to his strengths. He looks to be a live contender.

“Gold Town came out of his race at the Curragh well. The yielding to soft ground wasn’t suitable for him there and returning back to quicker going, together with the step up to seven furlongs, is going to suit.”

Both Godolphin contenders in the fiercely competitive six-furlong Wokingham Handicap showed a high level of form as juveniles two seasons ago - Birchwood (Richard Fahey/James Doyle) captured the G2 Superlative Stakes, while Steady Pace (Saeed bin Suroor/Josephine Gordon) was third in the G1 Middle Park Stakes.

Richard Fahey commented: “Birchwood is in good order and has been doing some decent work at home. We are going back to sprinting and have put a pair of blinkers on him, which will hopefully help. It’s a lottery of a race and anything can happen.”

Saeed bin Suroor added: “Steady Pace has shown plenty of speed and always goes well fresh.”

Last season’s Ascot Stakes second Qewy (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) runs in the Queen Alexandra Stakes after a tremendous Australian campaign that saw him win the G3 Geelong Cup and Listed Sandown Cup as well as finishing fourth in the G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

All-Weather Championships Marathon scorer Winning Story (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre De Sousa) also lines up over the marathon trip of nearly two and three quarter miles, having come home fifth over a mile shorter in the G3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on May 12.

Charlie Appleby said: “Qewy will be making his first appearance since his trip to Australia but he has gone well fresh in the past and the trip holds no concerns.

“He is fit, well and has no penalties for his wins in the Geelong Cup and Sandown Cup. I expect him to go well.”

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “Winning Story is a proper stayer and this trip should be fine for him. We will see how he gets on but I have been happy with him at home.”