Sir Michael Stoute has supplemented The Queen's Dartmouth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Saturday's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot. Unbeaten in three outings this year, including last time in the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot, the progressive 4-year-old will be competing in his first Group 1 event.
“The horse is in exceptional form and the trainer has been delighted with his progress since Ascot,” said The Queen's racing manager John Warren. “We felt he was a worthy candidate. Olivier Peslier, who rode him to such good effect in the Hardwicke, will ride him once again so there is continuity on that front.”
Dartmouth beat Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a head in the Hardwicke and will again lock horns with the Ballydoyle colt on Saturday.
“Highland Reel looks like our runner in the King George,” confirmed Aidan O'Brien. “Sir Isaac Newton is also in there but Highland Reel may be our only runner.”
After speculating the prospect of supplementing Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) for the King George, Team Godolphin decided against stepping the G1 Coral Eclipse winner up in trip just yet.
Charlie Appleby commented, “After consultation with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and John Ferguson, we have decided he will miss the King George and be saved for races over a mile and a quarter. The [G1] Juddmonte International is the likely next target.”
This leaves a current field of 10 for the mile and a half contest including the likely hot favourite Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Others in the field are Ajman Bridge (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Erupt (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Second Step (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Shogun (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}), and Wings of Desire (GB) (Pivotal {GB}).
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