Enable Faces Ten In Hot King George

Wandering Eyes · July 25, 2019

As Britain swelters in a heatwave that threatens established records, Ascot prepares for a renewal of the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. that will challenge the gauge of equine ability. Thursday saw the draw made for what is widely seen as the strongest edition of the midsummer jewel for some time and, as she was in the Eclipse three weeks ago, Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is wide. Widest of all in 11, but that is no disadvantage over this trip at this round course where high numbers are always favoured. Allied with her considerable and still immeasurable talent, the post position may be the final nail in the coffin of some classy rivals. Odds of 8-13 were the best available in the immediate aftermath of the draw and if the plunge that took place minutes before her July 5 Sandown reintroduction is repeated they could look generous.

John Gosden is staying guarded and grounded, however. “This is no penalty kick,” he said at this week’s press morning. “She will have come on for Sandown and she is up for it, but I don’t think it is the formality that is being indicated. It’s a big ask, but she is proud and happy in herself. When she’s in the zone, she’s very determined and assertive. She’s very enthusiastic and she loves her training and racing. That makes my job a whole lot easier.”

Frankie Dettori is on an astonishing roll even by his standards at present and he added, “She’s in good fettle and it’s all systems go. Everybody has turned up and we’ve got to compete with the best, so I’d be lying if I said I was not nervous. I am nervous, carrying the hopes of the nation on one of best horses in the world and we just want everything to go well. We know what she’s capable of.”

‘TDN Rising Star’ Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is back a possibly improved horse to the one who was just denied by stablemate Poet’s Word (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) 12 months ago, having captured the G1 Prince of Wales’ S. over 10 furlongs at the Royal meeting here on June 19 but like all the other older colts he has to concede three pounds to Juddmonte’s queen. Sir Evelyn de Rothschild’s homebred is drawn in nine, with one of Ballydoyle’s three potential pacemakers Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in between in 10. Interestingly, Aidan O’Brien has declared his quartet all in cheekpieces, with Hunting Horn, the G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the G1 Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) all wearing them for the first time. As expected, Ryan Moore is on the latter who receives eight pounds from Enable and 11 from Crystal Ocean and Donnacha O’Brien on the second-string Magic Wand.

With all the pace in the high numbers, hold-up merchants Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) can sit back and wait from their three and four draws as can the Japanese challenger Cheval Grand (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}), who breaks from stall six. Defoe is on a roll after wins in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on May 31 and G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot on June 22 and he faces the perfect speed scenario in his reinvention as a johnny-come-lately figure. Trainer Roger Varian is keen to see how he measures up against the best. “He will have to go some to topple Enable and Crystal Ocean, but he fully deserves to be in there and I’m sure he will run another massive race,” he said. “Whether it’s good enough to win the King George we will have to wait and see. Defoe only just does enough, but he’s solid, straightforward and can quicken. He’s fresh and holding his level of form. It’s a great race to be involved in.”