Diamond Jubilee Stakes Preview

Arguably the highlight of this year’s Royal Ascot meeting, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes has been widely anticipated for quite some time due to the participation of one very special horse – Black Caviar.

The crack Aussie mare has been sent over to launch an assault on the prestigious Group One contest after notching up a remarkable 21 victories down under for trainer Peter Moody who now seeks to conquer the six furlong division on British soil.

And the six-year-old is a heavy odds-on favourite to complete the feat and maintain her extraordinary unbeaten record which has put her alongside superstar Frankel as one of the most decorated and valuable racehorses in the world.

But at a price of around 2/7, how popular will Black Caviar be amongst the majority of British punters who know relatively little about her exploits and the true value of her form.

Undoubtedly, Black Caviar needs to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and win it well in order to cement her reputation and standing amongst the crème del la crème of thoroughbred racing – not just in the present day but also in the course of recent history.

Luke Nolen is the jockey tasked with seeing Black Caviar home and his job may have been made slightly easier by a favourable wide draw.

Her pace and turn of foot, judging by past races, will certainly take some beating, but can any of the other challengers spoil the Aussie party?

Well, from a British perspective, perhaps not, and punters are likely to seek some each way value in a race which should give the bookmakers some very bad business overall.

Any each-way gambles are likely to prove extremely significant to the potential losses of the bookmaker, which of course will be quite severe anyway if Black Caviar manages to triumph at such short odds.

But French raider Moonlight Cloud may hold the best chance of upsetting the applecart.

The four-year-old, trained by Freddy Head, was slightly rusty on reappearance at Longchamp but still scored in that particular Group Three affair rather impressively.

Almost certain to improve in terms of fitness and pace for the run, Moonlight Cloud could have a definite squeak if the race is run to suit however jockey Thierry Jarnet may well need to create a bit of luck and magic himself as the pair will be emerging from stall five.

Of the rest Krypton Factor has the ability to make the frame if able to produce his best on turf.

Fawzi Nass has booked Kieron Fallon to ride the four-year-old and his influence could pivotal in such a high class race.

However, like Moonlight Cloud, Krypton Factor will have to sprout wings early on from stall four to give himself a decent chance of being involved near the line.

A cross can be marked through much of the British contingent but James Fanshawe’s Society Rock, who always runs well at Ascot, can steel some place money stall 13.

Go To bet365

#Ad

23/06/2012     © Frixo 2024