2 days ago
Rebel's Romance seeks another first in G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
International superstar Rebel's Romance bids to add a first UK G1 to his glittering CV in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday.
Ascot's midsummer highlight has been won by Godolphin luminaries Swain, Daylami, Doyen and Adayar, although a seven-year-old has yet to be successful since the race was inaugurated in 1951.
Rebel's Romance is no stranger to rewriting the record books. The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi became the first horse to win non-consecutive renewals of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November and is also the only overseas runner to capture Hong Kong's G1 Champions & Chater Cup.
His tally of 18 wins, including 14 in Group races, makes him the most prolific Godolphin horse in history, with seven-top level victories including three in Germany and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in addition to his North American and Hong Kong successes.
A valiant third in last year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rebel's Romance returns having won three of his four starts this season, including comfortably taking the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over the course and distance at Royal Ascot.
Charlie Appleby said: 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around.
'He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.'
Dubawi filly Dance To The Music hopes to follow up a winning introduction for the same trainer in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes earlier on the card.
The full-sister to three-time G1 winner Space Blues remains over six furlongs after overcoming signs of inexperience to score by a length at Newmarket in May.
Charlie Appleby added: 'Dance To The Music has done well physically since winning at Newmarket. She is stepping up to Pattern company for the first time and it's a fact-finding mission. The form of her race has worked out well and we are hopeful that she can be competitive at this level.'
Sovereignty aims to rule again in G2 Jim Dandy Stakes: Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty looks to continue the momentum of an outstanding campaign into the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in US on Saturday.
The Into Mischief homebred has established himself as the best three-year-old colt in North America and makes a second start at Saratoga this summer following a convincing victory over Preakness Stakes victor Journalism in the G1 Belmont Stakes.
Sovereignty also denied Journalism in the G1 Kentucky Derby, as the Bill Mott-trained colt provided Godolphin with a first victory in the Run for the Roses.
Winner of the G3 Street Sense Stakes on his final juvenile outing, Sovereignty started his year with two appearances at Gulfstream Park – winning the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes before taking second in the G1 Florida Derby.
Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Bill has been pleased with Sovereignty's build up to the Jim Dandy. He has done everything that Bill has wanted and is ready to get back to work.
'The Jim Dandy will serve as a nice prep to get to the mid-season goal of the G1 Travers in late August. It is a small field as expected – the one concern is that they are mainly closers except for Mo Plex, who is the lone speed and will probably try to control the field from the front.
'Sovereignty has a nice draw on the outside [5], so Junior [Alvarado] will have options of what type of trip he gets. We expect him to run very well and solidify his position as the top three-year-old in the country.'
Time To Turn rises to the occasion at Ascot: Time To Turn provided Godolphin with a fifth Listed Pat Eddery Stakes win in the space of seven years as he reversed the form with A Bit Of Spirit at Ascot on Friday.
A head had separated the duo in a Newbury novice race in mid-June, with the victorious A Bit Of Spirit going on to readily defy a penalty at Sandown Park and Time To Turn reopposing after scoring by 10 lengths at Wolverhampton.
Held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick, Time To Turn started to make smooth headway two furlongs out and the Dark Angel homebred quickened into a clear lead inside the final furlong.
Palace Pier colt A Bit Of Spirit rallied and reduced Time To Turn's lead close home, with the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile holding on by a head. The front two pulled more than three lengths clear of third home Italica.
Charlie Appleby said: 'It was a pleasing run from Time To Turn, who is learning on the job. We are learning about him as well and it was another nice step forward today. We might give him a little break and look towards the autumn, as I think he will appreciate some juice in the ground.'
