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| Punter's Diary by Malcolm Heyhoe |
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| Updated: 1st June 2012 - GG.com |
Swoons In June
Watching the Derby field stream around Tattenham Corner before launching itself up Epsom's long and tilting home straight remains the keynote moment to usher in a wonderful month of Flat racing in June. The two-day Epsom meeting begins on June 1 with the Investec Oaks.
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This year's renewal of the fillies' Classic features a strong challenge from Aidan O'Brien courtesy of race favourite Maybe and young pretender Kissed but the John Gosden-trained The Fugue may possess the class and speed to trump this highly regarded pair. Gosden's charge created a striking impression when easily landing York's Musidora Stakes and should relish the longer trip.
In the Investec Derby on June 2 the Ballydoyle boys could provide as many of five runners in a maximum 12-runner field and the ace in the pack has to be the unbeaten Camelot, who looks a strong favourite to add the famous Classic to the 2,000 Guineas that he landed earlier in the season for the O'Brien team.
Five of the very best days of Flat racing to be found anywhere in the world begins with the opening day of Royal Ascot on June 19, and the highlight has to be the Queen Anne Stakes over a mile featuring the mighty Frankel.
Sadly there seems likely to be little in the way of serious opposition to the world's number one horse and connections need to race Frankel over a longer trip against new opponents if they are ever going to truly test his credentials. As things stand, there is something a shade predictable about beating the same lesser horses over the same distance every time Frankel reaches a racecourse.
On Royal Ascot's second day, June 20, the Prince Of Wales's Stakes takes centre stage and So You Think is likely to be among the favourites for this Group 1 event though we can only hope that Andre Fabre supplements his exciting filly Golden Lilac into the contest because then we might have a banker bet for the week.
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Friday's action on June 22 features the Coronation Stakes, a group 1 race a mile for the best fillies in town. Robert Collet's Topeka might well spring surprise here given that the fillies over this trip look an ordinary bunch and the mile form has been all over the place in the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas this spring.
Saturday June 23 belongs to Black Caviar and Australia's wonder mare should pulverise what is likely to be a weak field for the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes. It seems a shame that the European and British sprinters can muster so little in the way of serious opposition and Peter Moody's superstar should win this race readily before going on to the slightly sterner challenge of the July Cup at Newmarket.
June's fabulous month of Flat racing closes on June 30 with the Northumberland Plate and Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle while over at the Curragh in Ireland, the Irish Derby takes pride of place and Aidan O'Brien seems sure to have a strong hand for the premier Irish Classic over a mile and a half.
Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips
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