And with Her Majesty cheering down from heaven, it’s the Aussie heroine Joliestar who’s said to be the NAP of the Royal Meeting to win the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
As the $2.70 favourite according to leading Aussie betting sites, it’s the World’s Best Jockey James McDonald who’s again riding for Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller, jumping from Gate 9 of 19 runners.
Fresh from victory in the TJ Smith Stakes at The Championships, it was Chris Waller who targeted the TJ Smith as a springboard for Royal Ascot having earlier won the Newmarket Handicap.
In fact, she follows fellow Australians Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Black Caviar who all won the Newmarket Handicap prior to claiming their Royal Ascot success.
And taking on a host of international stars in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, it’s last year’s second placed Satono Reve who’s the $4.50 second pick according to popular betting apps Australia for Miho trainer Noriyuki Hori and in-form Ryan Moore.
With Satono Reve being second to the World’s Best Racehorse Ka Ying Rising in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize at Sha Tin, he earlier won his second consecutive Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo.
At $15 is the Haruki Sugiyama trained Lugal, who winning the Sprinters Stakes and Hanshin Cup is a last-start second in the Al Quoz Sprint, and will be ridden by Katsuma Sameshima.
Fresh from third in the King Charles III Stakes is fellow Australian Overpass at $10, while the William Haggas trained Lake Forest and Donnacha O’Brien’s Comanche Brave are $11 according to leading betting sites with sign up bonus.
A w-f-a event of 6 furlongs, the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes can lift Joliestar to six Group 1 wins, and as a five-year-old mare is raced by Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay of Cambridge Stud NZ.
Now the winner of 10 of her 21 race starts with earnings of $9 million, she was a $950,000 buy for Cambridge Stud at the 2022 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from Segenhoe Thoroughbreds.
Certainly the best of her Australian Champion sire Zoustar, who’s now the sire of 11 Group 1 winners, she’s the immediate family of 2018 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes winner Merchant Navy.
Rosehill-based trainer Chris Waller also had Nature Strip win the TJ Smith Stakes as a lead-up to take out the King Charles III Stakes in 2022, who was also ridden by champion James McDonald.
Also looking for a second Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes with Joliestar is owners Cambridge Stud, who had Hello Youmzain win in 2022 in partnership with Haras d’Etreham.
Again, this year ‘the Royal Meeting feature a strong international field, with contenders anticipated from France, Australia, America, Japan and beyond making the journey to Berkshire.’
‘The Ascot World Feed features the full 35-race card presented by Tom Stanley, Michelle Yu, Aly Vance, Ella McNeill and Ally Mosley with 25 hours of uninterrupted coverage.’
‘A 90-minute International Programme is for a worldwide audience with focus on the Gold Cup on Thursday and include interviews, expert analysis, curated features and the very best action.’
‘TV Racing presents live coverage from Ascot Racecourse in daily five-hour programmes, with Sky Sports Racing and Virgin Media supplementing the UK and Irish audience offering.’
‘In the USA, NBC will broadcast Royal Ascot as an on-course presence to avid US fanbase following Wesley Ward’s seven-strong squad in search of what would be a 13th victory at the meeting.’
‘Channel 7, Australia’s principal free-to-air broadcaster, delivers Royal Ascot to over 17 million homes, extending the reach into one of the world’s most passionate racing nations.’
‘In addition, Australian broadcaster Tabcorp and Entain’s New Zealand arm will be reflecting the strength of the international field and the two nations’ deep shared racing heritage.’
