KING AND QUEEN TO BE CROWNED AT HQ?

The new King and Queen of horseracing could take to their respective thrown on the first weekend in May at headquarters. That is the general feeling around after Sir Michael Stoute's colt King Of Happiness, and Mick Channon's filly Queens Logic dominated the Guineas trials last week with taking displays.

However there is going to be plenty of strong opposition at Newmarket, and these are races for punters to approach with a fair bit of trepidation. Plenty of longer-priced horses have been ridden to victory on the Rowley Mile over the past few years, and it would be no surprise to see that happen again. It has to be said though, that with the Aidan O'Brien yard having more than one genuine contender in the 2000 Guineas, and Queens Logic looking peerless in the 1000, that trend could indeed be broken this year.

Latest betting for the opening classics of the season (best prices):
2000 Guineas: 6/4 Hawk Wing, 7/2 King Of Happiness, 7/1 Love Regardless, 10/1 Naheef, 14/1 Tendulkar, Rock Of Gibraltar, 20/1 bar.
1000 Guineas: 2/1 Queens Logic, 5/2 Gossamer, 8/1 Quater Moon, 14/1 Protectress, 16/1 Silent Honor, 20/1 Alasha, 25/1 bar.

The trials continue of course, and it's time for possible Derby and Oaks contenders to show what they are made of starting this weekend at Sandown. I will be keeping a close eye on Hathaal and Tholjanah if they run in the Heathorns Classic Trial on Friday, and the Queen's colt Right Approach when he tackles a Conditions race at the same venue. Tholjanah's trainer though, Marcus Tregoning, has remarked that he won't run his horse on Friday if the ground is too fast, after he ran a cracker on soft ground last back end when second in the Group 1 Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. However, if he is going to be a real Derby threat, he may have to get used to lively going.

Meanwhile, top Irish jockey Michael Kinane has decided to appeal over the seven day ban imposed on him by the Newmarket stewards, which as it stands will force him to miss the glamorous ride on Johannesburg in the Kentucky Derby. His appeal will probably be heard on Thursday or Friday of this week, with the American classic due to be run a week on Saturday. However Frankie Dettori has already ruled himself out of that contest, deciding to return to England to partner Naheef in the 2000 Guineas, run on the same day. He will though, still take the mount on one of the Godolphin entrants in the Kentucky Oaks the day before.

I have spoken a lot about the early season form of John Dunlop and Sir Michael Stoute, and the latter has Tough Speed pencilled in to reappear in the attheraces Mile this Saturday. He apparently has been scorching up the gallops recently and should be spot-on for his return. Meanwhile J L Dunlop said recently that good sprinter Invincible Spirit may go next to York for a tilt at the six furlong Group 3 Duke Of York Stakes. He would surely hold a decent chance there, and the Arundel trainer has not ruled out running him at Royal Ascot in June. Remember to e-mail me with any questions. 

Article by Gary Christie.

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