William Buick rode Ombudsman to a commanding victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on Wednesday, leaving no room for doubt about the outcome. The 11-10 favorite surged down the outside to beat Minnie Hauk and Daryz, winners of the Oaks and Arc respectively last season, by four lengths. Buick used only hands and heels through the final furlong as Ombudsman opened up a decisive lead.
Race Overview
For a moment at the top of the straight, pacemakers seemed poised to spark post-race debate for the second consecutive day. Mississippi River and Devil's Advocate, frontrunners for Minnie Hauk and Ombudsman respectively, built a long lead by halfway. While Mississippi River faded turning in, Devil's Advocate still held a healthy advantage at the two-furlong pole. However, a furlong later, the race was effectively over, with Ombudsman in front and pulling clear to repeat his win from 12 months ago. Minnie Hauk and Daryz tried but failed to match his finishing speed.
Trainer and Jockey Reactions
John Gosden, Ombudsman's trainer, praised his horse's performance: "Devil's Advocate, a furlong and a half to go I thought they have to get to him. But this horse has got a phenomenal turn of foot, great acceleration for a mile-and-a-quarter horse and he just showed that class. It's quite something to come away from the field like that. The filly [Minnie Hauk] ran great, the Arc winner [Daryz] ran great. Probably [Almaqam] might not have run his race but, overall, it was one of the great performances of his career."
Regarding future plans, Gosden indicated the Juddmonte International at York in mid-August is the major target. "We'll watch him for the next week or 10 days and the horse will tell you. You just watch, you know their habits, when they're 100% and when they're a little quiet. The Juddmonte International would be the major target of course. He likes York." The Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in early July is another option but may be bypassed.
Minnie Hauk and Daryz Performances
Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Minnie Hauk, was pleased with her rebound from a lackluster showing at the Curragh in May. "We thought what happened the last day was that she's really a mile-and-a-half filly," O'Brien said. "Over a mile and a quarter [on Wednesday] she wanted an end-to-end gallop. Obviously, that was going to suit the winner as well. Ryan [Moore] said she kept travelling from the three to the two, while the winner had a little bit more speed than her over a mile and a quarter." He suggested the King George at Ascot or the Arc as possible next targets.
Daryz, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, has now been beaten on both starts outside France. Graffard explained: "They had these two pacemakers that went forward quite clear and my horse was not covered. He never really relaxed and had a chance to take a breath. I don't think he relaxed through the race; he was out of his rhythm all the time, and that's why he shortened up his action at the end. We didn't see the Daryz of Longchamp."
Victorious Wins Queen Mary Stakes
Earlier on the card, Aidan O'Brien secured his 99th winner at the Royal meeting as Victorious powered to an easy success in the five-furlong Queen Mary Stakes. It was the trainer's second consecutive Queen Mary winner, following True Love's victory last year. Victorious was initially cut to 16-1 for next year's 1,000 Guineas, then further to 12-1.
O'Brien noted: "Victorious is very classy. She only has sight in one eye, so we were a little worried about where she was drawn [on the far side], but Ryan [Moore] was brilliant on her. He reassured her and let her find her way through. He got a little group to follow and then took her to the outside." The success bodes well for O'Brien's Sun Goddess in the Albany Stakes on Friday.
Other Highlights
Point Of Law, carrying the king and queen's colors, finished fourth in the Queen's Vase behind Limestone. The next outing for the royal silks will be aboard Golden Orbit in the Ribblesdale Stakes on Thursday.
In the Gold Cup on Thursday, last year's winner Trawlerman defends his crown against a strong field. Carmers, a winner at last year's meeting, is an interesting each-way contender at around 20-1. Other tips include Sea Venture in the 2.30, Heyzoom in the 3.05, Earth Shot in the 3.40, Jamestown in the 4.50, and Generic in the 5.35.
