Big Race Perspective: Queen Anne Stakes

Royal Ascot / Timeform / 17 June 2010 / Leave a Comment

Goldikova: Winner of twelve of her seventeen starts

"GOLDIKOVA is a truly outstanding mare, this her ninth Group/Grade 1 and third in a row, and there's more depth to this one than some of the others, even allowing for Rip Van Winkle's flop..."

Timeform share their Perspective entries on the Queen Anne Stakes, Group 1 number nine for Goldikova...

An eagerly-anticipated renewal featuring a trio of top-notchers and, though a lacklustre effort from Rip Van Winkle takes some of the sparkle away, it was still a high-class performance from Goldikova to hold off Paco Boy, even if the bare form is limited to some extent by Dream Eater in third. It was a clean race, with matters truly run, and though Goldikova got first run on Paco Boy, the impression was she might actually have been better off being held on to for a bit longer herself.

GOLDIKOVA is a truly outstanding mare, this her ninth Group/Grade 1 and third in a row, and there's more depth to this one than some of the others, even allowing for Rip Van Winkle's flop, still having a high-class colt to beat in Paco Boy. Whilst she's impossible to knock, her superiority over the latter isn't conclusive, as she had a slight tactical edge as things went on the day, more positively ridden and getting first run over two furlongs out, Paco Boy without a gap as she accelerated clear, though the way she did so was impressive all the same, quickly taking three lengths out of the field before seeming to idle, rallying when the runner-up was in striking distance. Goldikova's seasonal aim remains a hat-trick attempt in the Breeders' Cup Mile and she'll likely tread a familiar path before then, with repeat bids in the Rothschild and the Jacques le Marois back in France - she'll be very hard to beat wherever she goes next. Encouragingly, she wasn't so troublesome at the start as often, in good shape and relaxed all round in fact.

PACO BOYconfirmed himself as one of the very best milers around, actually posting a bigger effort than the winner on the day by narrowly failing to give her 3 lb, and he may well have got to her with a smooth run through, briefly blocked as Goldikova quickened (still on the bridle at the time) and strong to the finish. He'll remain a force in top mile races this season, likely to try and turn the tables on Goldikova in the Jacques le Marois next, but even if getting to her sooner there, she'll still prove a hard nut to crack.

DREAM EATER had looked well exposed, out of his depth on anything he had done before, but this was an excellent effort, his best yet, and there's little reason to doubt it, no threat to the first two but coming through the rest from the back. He did have a wind operation over the winter, which may have made a difference.

ZACINTO took a step back in the right direction having twice shaped as if amiss since runner-up to Rip Van Winkle in last year's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, his response to pressure much more encouraging. He's got more to do to complete his revival, and might be best dropping in grade before another assault on top company.

DALGHAR earned a crack at this level with the progress he's made and is worth another chance, as the big occasion got to him more than any (least experienced amongst them), coltish/edgy in the paddock and free in the race itself, and he was upsides the third until a furlong out.

RIP VAN WINKLE proved himself top-class in 2009, beating Paco Boy in the Sussex and Zacinto in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but he's never been the soundest (had various foot problems) and wasn't himself after more than seven months off, driven to the front briefly but having nothing left in the final furlong. This was a big ask on reappearance, however, with his two main rivals already up and running, and he wasn't quite there in his coat as well as looking as if he would be better for the run (trainer had voiced concerns about his fitness), so it will be no surprise to see him bounce back, likely to give a truer account of himself if going for a repeat bid in the Sussex at Goodwood.

OUQBA showed that he's better than ever when second to Paco Boy in the Lockinge, so this is best regarded as a blip for the time being, not himself for whatever reason.

CAT JUNIOR is unreliable but may have had something wrong this day, eased in the final furlong.

CALMING INFLUENCE peaked in Dubai (on tapeta) earlier in the year, like many of Godolphin's, and shaped as if amiss after two and a half months on, stopping sharply in the last two furlongs.