Queen Anne Stakes
 

Update from Sporting life.....

GORGEOUS GEORGE HEADS QUEEN ANNE NINE

By Nick Robson, PA Sport

George Washington will face a maximum of eight rivals on his eagerly-awaited return to the track in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.

Aidan O'Brien's multi-talented colt missed the Royal meeting last year through injury and Ascot racegoers thought their chance of seeing him in action had disappeared when he was whisked off to stud following his brave effort in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

However, the four-year-old met with fertility problems in the mating shed and his racing career has been resurrected, to the delight of his handler.

Taking him on will be dual Group One-winning filly Red Evie, who made a winning seasonal return in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, beating a new recruit from Godolphin in the process, Ramonti.

The Italian import will be in opposition once again, hoping to give Sheikh Mohammed's operation a long-awaited first Group One win of the season. They could also be represented by Notability.

James Fanshawe's Cesare, who won the Royal Hunt Cup at the meeting last year, has, as expected, been supplemented.

Sir Michael Stoute's Jeremy, winner of the Jersey Stakes 12 months ago, steps up in class to Group One level this year.

There could be two French representatives in the shape of Freddie Head's Racinger and Francois Rohaut's Turtle Bowl. John Hills' Dark Islander completes the line-up.

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...scot_Anne.html

I think Geoge will win. He is a risky betting proposition, but Aidan will not have even contemplated Royal Ascot for his return if he didn't think he had a very good chance, in what looks like one of the best races of Royal Ascot this year.

Mixed feelings about this race. I'd love to see George back at his brilliant best, but I've been following Red Evie so I also want to see her win it.

Hoping for a good contest whoever wins.

I know what you mean... hoping for George but she's a big threat and gotta respect her here.

Can't wait. :)

I suppose it all depends on how much George has remembered from the breeding shed. If he finds himself behind her in the race, he might not want to pass :)

Ummm no disrespect but maybe you should remember how he did in the breeding shed.

I don't know if he'll be all that interested.....:D

Ha....... i don't think it was lack of enthusiasm that stopped him from being a full time stallion.

Poor boy was shootin' blanks, i think.

I wish i was going, i'd love to see his what he is like pre race. Before the 2,000 Guineas last year he was a real handful. It took about five people just to saddle him.

After he had won, he was following so unplaced horses, so they didn't have to go into the winners enclosure........ He wanted to follow them, and when his handler tried to pull him where he should have been going, George basically looked at him and said "f*** off, i'm going THIS way". He is a very funny boy, but also very good!

Yeah I remember.

Wonder if Yarmy is available.....

Now that i would like to see......

won't happen...... but i'd like to see how Yarmy would get on with him. George isn't a Rakti or Bulldozer.......... but his arrogance leads to his temper.


Do you remember a horse called Bucharest.......ages ago which we spoke about? He dropped his jockey going to the start and he still won? Well, finally today, he got his head in front again

Oh yeah I liked him and happy to hear that.

Bulldozer isn't as bad as the geatest horse who ever lived..... he's just, ummm... moody. :D

Douggie Whyte is really the only one who can control him. Strange.

Wonder if Yarmy ever goes to visit my boy.....

Dunno........ maybe you can email him? Yarmy, not Rakti...... i know what you're like ;)

When i see him next (i usually see him wandering around Newmarket) i will try and ask him. never spoken to him before..... so i don't know what he's like.

Cesare is the really really interesting one here in a fascinating race. His race at Ascot looks brilliant in the light of Illustrious Blue and Dunelight both winning well next time out..He's only ever contested one Group race (on the all weather) and was beaten well but has a high enough rating to be in the mix and he loves Ascot and quick ground.. I dont think he'll be too far behind George and company..

I was under the opinion he preferred cut in the ground??

I don't think he will be anywhere near good enough, but we shall see. His mother had to be put down last year after she was found down in at paddock, it was quite sad. The half brother yearling this year was a phycho as a foal!