A Preview of Godolphin Runners - Royal Ascot Day 5
Top Australian sprinter Holler headlines Godolphin's team on the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot.
The John O'Shea-trained colt makes his European debut under regular rider James McDonald following a superb campaign in Australia that included victory in the G1 Canterbury Stakes and a short-head second in the G1 William Reid Stakes.
John O'Shea commented: "Holler will be on the speed as he is a leader. He is a big, tough, hard-looking horse and he likes to gallop. He has got great gate speed and he will be right up on the bunny.
"He is a multiple weight-for-age performer in Australia at sprinting and that - by definition - means, if he can bring his A-game, he will be competitive."
Four-year-old Beautiful Romance (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle) aims for a second successive G2 win in the 12-furlong Hardwicke Stakes following an impressive display on her seasonal return in the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York on May 12.
Saeed bin Suroor commented: "Beautiful Romance is a tough filly who showed her true form when winning the Group 2 Middleton Stakes on her most recent start. She has also shown good form at Ascot and likes soft ground. I am looking forward to seeing her run well."
The New Approach filly boasts excellent form over a mile and a half at Ascot, having ended last year with a fine third on good to soft ground in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Four Godolphin runners in the Listed Wolferton Handicap include Best Of Times (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle), a Listed winner at Newmarket last year, and Chester G3 scorer Maverick Wave (John Gosden/Robert Havlin).
Saeed bin Suroor reported: "Best Of Times is doing well at home. He is working nicely and both the ground and trip should suit."
John Gosden added: "Maverick Wave is carrying top-weight, but will enjoy the track and ground."
The Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Oceanographer (William Buick) and Second Wave (Adam Kirby), who have both shown a progressive profile on the All-Weather, also line up in the 10-furlong contest.
Charlie Appleby commented: "The drop back to a mile and a quarter will suit Oceanographer. He is a big striding horse and Newmarket didn't suit him on his latest start. He has a good draw in stall one and races up with the pace, so conditions should suit.
"Second Wave has progressed nicely on the All-Weather and has been working well. He is a horse who likes to be ridden with cover and I am hoping that he can run a nice race."
Exciting juvenile Aiming For Rio (Matthieu Palussiere/Mickael Barzalona), who has gained two victories in France, including a recent five-length success at Deauville, makes her Godolphin debut in the Listed Chesham Stakes over seven furlongs.
John Ferguson, Godolphin's Chief Executive and Racing Manager, explained: "Aiming For Rio was very impressive last week. We feel that she deserves to take her chance in the Chesham. Rio De La Plata has made a good start to his stud career, the reports on his progeny are positive and we are looking forward to seeing her run on Saturday."
Flash Fire (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), successful in the Victoria Cup over seven furlongs at Ascot on May 7, goes for another big heritage handicap victory at the same course in the six-furlong Wokingham Handicap.
Charlie Appleby said: "Flash Fire won the Victoria Cup in impressive fashion. He showed good gate speed that day and looked the winner a long way from home. The drop back to six furlongs will be within his limits."
Godolphin's final runner of the Royal Ascot is set to be Pinzolo (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), who races over the marathon distance of two miles, five furlongs and 159 yards for the first time in the Queen Alexandra Stakes.
Charlie Appleby added: "Pinzolo is a horse that can mix his form - but I have been pleased with his work at home. I am hoping that he can put his best foot forward."