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Tanya's Blog - Saturday 22nd June 2013

Hawkeye Can Rock Royal Ascot

Friday was officially the longest day, however every day seems like an eternity when you’re out of form!  The chance to be covering the Royal Ascot betting ring is a gift and an honour, but things aren’t what they use to be, what with only 12 bookmakers betting on the Royal Ascot rails.  Brian Gleeson and I interviewed Victor Chandler on Thursday and when he operated on the rails he stood in pitch 20 with many more lined up alongside him.  Back in the present and the rails do well to absorb onslaughts like the gamble on Estimate in the Gold Cup on Thursday, who was backed from 7-1 into 7-2 and that on Sandiva, Battle Of Marengo and Leading Light on Friday.

Despite getting Sandiva and Battle Of Marengo floored, I can’t see how bookmakers won as the momentum of money on Leading Light surely emptied the satchels once more. 

We’ve been lucky with the weather, however I suspect that will run out come Saturday.  Brollies and raincoats are packed in the car and all is organised. One final deep breath to hold the composure.  Having worn more dresses in a week than I have in a lifetime, I think I may need therapy!  It’s totally out of my comfort zone!

As for Royal Ascot, Saturday is my favourite day as I love the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Wokingham Stakes, ah sprinters, all those familiar names.  A sprint is just like standing as a bookmaker in the betting ring, one wrong decision and it can cost you dearly. 

Hopefully I have found the answer to the most competitive of races.  In the Diamond Jubilee Society Rock bids to regain his crown.  He returns in the best of order fresh from landing the Duke Of York Stakes.  In that very race for me two horses found plenty of trouble in running, and both were stable companions: Jack Dexter and Hawkeyethenoo.  I fancied Jack Dexter on Tuesday and he has shown what he can do when fourth in the King’s Stand Stakes. Now it’s the turn of Hawkeyethenoo.  He was second in the Champions’ Sprint and won a Victoria Cup at Ascot, so he likes the course and can deal with big fields having also triumphed in a Stewards’ Cup.  Also, keep an eye on Chris Wall’s Intense Pink. He pulled her out earlier in the week and left her in this, if she stands her ground she’s sure to be worth watching.

Chris Wall’s Premio Loco finished runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday proving the team from Induna Stables are in good order.  Orange is the colour to look out for in the Wokingham at 4.25 with Royal Rock and Prodigality.  Royal Rock has won twice at Ascot loves a stiff six furlongs and has won in Group company. 

There we have it for one last hurrah and a big thank you to Royal Ascot 2013.  Dreams realised and history made.

Tanya's tips:

3.45 Royal Ascot: Hawkeyethenoo

4.25 Royal Ascot: Royal Rock

Tanya's Pointers:

Since 2000 only two favourites have won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Eight of the last ten winners of the Wokingham Stakes were aged four or five

Eight of the last ten winners of the Wokingham Stakes finished in the first four on their most recent start

Eight of the last ten winners of the Hardwicke Stakes came from the first three in the betting

Sir Michael Stoute has won the Hardwicke Stakes four times in the last seven years

Only three favourites since 1990 have won the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap

Eight of the last ten winners of the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap were drawn 11 or higher

Nine of the last ten winners of the Chesham Stakes came from the first four in the betting