THE unbeaten Attraction is the star turn in the Coronation Stakes (3.45) at Royal Ascot today, but Red Bloom, who was fourth behind her in the 1,000 Guineas, is taken to gain her revenge.
Despite a troubled preparation, Sir Michael Stoute’s filly was sent off favourite for the Newmarket classic, but after racing freely through the early stages she was unable to produce her usual turn of foot at the business end of the race, beaten 2¼ lengths into fourth. On her final start last year, Red Bloom gained an impressive success over this course and distance in the Fillies’ Mile, quickening away from Sundrop, the subsequent Guineas runner-up.
The vibes for Red Bloom are much more positive ahead of this return clash and she rates terrific value at 9-2 with Ladbrokes and William Hill to turn the tables.
Attraction, the first filly to win both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas, is outstandingly tough. If she is able to dominate from the outset, she will again be hard to peg back, but it will be a surprise if her rivals grant her an uncontested lead and that will surely compromise her chance.
Few things delight the crowd more than a winner for the Queen at this meeting and Promotion, a stablemate of Red Bloom, should provide just that in the Wolferton Rated Handicap (4.20).
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He showed only modest form in three starts last year, but he was gelded during the winter and put up a taking effort on his reappearance at Newmarket — always travelling best before sprinting clear inside the final furlong.
As a Sadler’s Wells half-brother to the Ribblesdale winner, Phantom Gold, he is bred to be classy and, open to plenty of improvement after just four starts, is confidently expected to defy a 10lb higher mark. The 9-2 offered by William Hill rates excellent value.
It has been a good week for the Godolphin team and Masa can give them another success in the Albany Stakes (2.30). She showed a high cruising speed when making a winning debut at Lingfield and can follow up.
In a weak renewal of the King Edward VII Stakes (3.05), Gold History may be able to make all the running. He found the ground too testing when third to African Dream (who will not reoppose here unless the ground eases) at Sandown last time, but had previously shown a good attitude when winning a listed race at Newmarket. He can resume winning ways.
Unscrupulous holds solid claims in the Buckingham Palace Handicap (5.30). An easy winner at Yarmouth last July, he shaped well on his return from an 11-month break when third to Ace Of Hearts at Newmarket, despite racing too keenly for his own good through the early stages. He looks a decent bet at 10-1 with William Hill.