Auguste Rodin Can Complete Derby and King George Double
16-06-2023
Epsom winner Auguste Rodin is bidding to become just the second Derby winner to complete a double in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the same year when he lines up at Ascot later this season. The Irish horse looks to have the class to prevail against the older generation.
Aidan O’Brien’s runner relished the 1m4f distance at Epsom, as his breeding suggested he would. He stayed on powerfully at the back end of the race to give his trainer an incredible ninth success in the British Classic.
Derby Winner Tops Betting at Ascot
The son of Deep Impact could be set for a big season outside his age group. He tops the betting at 11/4 for those looking to place
horse racing bets on the Ascot feature. With the weight allowance he will receive in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he will have a big advantage against the older horses.
There were concerns about last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old following his opening start of the season in
the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. He ran below his best in that 1m contest; however, he was bumped in the race, and the distance was much shorter than he prefers, so there were acceptable excuses.
O’Brien remain buoyed about his horse’s chances going into the Derby, and that confidence proved to be correct. What he achieves in races like the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Juddmonte International and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later in 2023 will determine how special the Derby winner is.
Emily Upjohn leads The Opposition Again Auguste Rodin
Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn is one of the leading four-year-olds in the entries for Ascot as she bids to continue her excellent 12 months on the track. John and Thady Gosden’s runner prevailed over this course and distance last October on British Champions Day in the British Champions Fillies & Mares.
The daughter of Frankel made an impressive return to action at Epsom on Oaks Day when she won the Coronation Cup, beating a field that included former Irish Derby winner Westover and 2021 St Leger winner Hurricane Lane.
Those looking to back Emily Upjohn will be concerned by her performance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2022. She was fancied to run well in that small field, but she came home in last place of the six runners. Her trainers had no explanation for the form shown by their filly.
Al Asifah Has a Big Future Ahead
After making a 100% start to her career, with her second victory coming in a Listed race at Goodwood, where she blew her rivals away, Al Asifah looks to have a big future ahead. She is expected to join her stablemate Emily Upjohn at Ascot.
The Shadwell runner may run in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh before her Ascot assignment. She will be tested against some of the leading fillies in her age group. Should she pass that test, her King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes credentials will be boosted ahead of her visit to the Berkshire-based racecourse.
This year’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place on the 29th of July, and the final declarations for the Group One race will be announced 48 hours before the contest.
