Royal Ascot Day 2: Eagerly Anticipated Showdown Between White Birch and Auguste Rodin
The second day of the prestigious Royal Ascot racing festival is set to deliver an exhilarating clash between two of the sport’s leading contenders, White Birch and Auguste Rodin, in the highly anticipated Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Last season’s dual Derby winner, Auguste Rodin, trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien, had the edge over John Joseph Murphy’s grey, White Birch, in their previous Classic encounters. However, the tables have turned this term, with White Birch emerging victorious in all three of his races so far. Despite this, the bookmakers have installed Auguste Rodin as the favorite, expecting the talented colt to make further progress from his Tattersalls Gold Cup performance.
“The second day of Royal Ascot promises to deliver another day of world-class Flat racing that is sure to captivate the sport’s loyal followers.”
Joining the anticipated duel will be a strong contingent of French challengers, including Horizon Dore, Zarakem, and Blue Rose Cen, adding an international flair to the proceedings. Additionally, the likes of Inspiral, Alflaila, and 2020 winner Lord North have also been confirmed for the race, ensuring a high-quality field.
Duke of Cambridge Stakes
The Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes promises to be another thrilling spectacle. James Tate’s Royal Dress, who suffered misfortune when finishing third in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom, has been supplemented for the race. The winner of that contest, Breege, trained by John and Sean Quinn, will also be in contention.
Queen Mary Stakes
The Queen Mary Stakes is shaping up to be a wide-open affair, with a sizeable field of 36 promising two-year-olds set to take their chance, including Wesley Ward’s Burning Pine and Saturday Flirt, Aidan O’Brien’s Fairy Godmother, and Andrew Balding’s Kassaya, a half-sister to Guineas winner Chaldean.
Queen’s Vase
In the Queen’s Vase, Aidan O’Brien will be represented by a strong team of seven runners, headlined by the impressive Highbury, who won his last outing by a commanding seven and a half lengths. Balding’s Derby fifth Sayedaty Sadaty and Roger Varian’s Defiance are also among the 17 confirmations.
Royal Hunt Cup
The day’s action is rounded off by the competitive Royal Hunt Cup, where last year’s runner-up Sonny Liston will be aiming to go one better, facing stiff opposition from the likes of Ouzo, Holloway Boy, Notre Belle Bete, and Beshtani.
With an abundance of top-class equine talent on display and intriguing storylines across the card, the second day of Royal Ascot promises to deliver another day of world-class Flat racing that is sure to captivate the sport’s loyal followers.
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