SAHorseracing.com
SAHorseracing.com
KING GEORGE: Ground key to Shareta Ascot run

 

Alain de Royer-Dupre is keeping an eye on the weather before deciding whether to commit Shareta to the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The French trainer wants the ground to dry out for the Aga Khan-owned filly, though he will be represented in the Betfair-sponsored Group One by last year's Prix du Jockey Club winner Reliable Man.

"I am not sure if Shareta will run because we are waiting for the weather forecast. If we have too much rain we are not sure to run. If it rains the day before the race and the day of the race we are not sure to come," Royer-Dupre told At The Races.

The handler was pleased with Reliable Man's performance in the Prince of Wales's Stakes over a mile and a quarter at the Royal meeting when some good late work saw him finish fourth to So You Think.

"He is sure to run. He is very well. He can go on all types of ground," Royer-Dupre told At The Races.

Japanese runner Deep Brillante has been clipped into 16-1 for big race. The three-year-old won the Japanese Derby in Tokyo on his latest start in May and had been 20-1 with Coral. Japanese runners have done well in the race in the past with Heart's Cry finishing a close-up third behind Hurricane Run back in 2006.

"Deep Brillante will be flying the flag not only for Japan, but for the Classic generation as well, and although Yoshito Yahagi's charge has attracted some support today, he will face a strong group of older horses on Saturday," said Coral's David Stevens.

The firm have last year's winner Nathaniel as one of three 11-4 co-favourites after he won the Eclipse on his reappearance for John Gosden.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Sea Moon and Aidan O'Brien's St Nicholas Abbey share the position at the head of the market, although the latter was a minor drifter on Betfair on Wednesday afternoon, touching 10-1 to small money before trading at 4-1 at around 2pm.

"We cannot spilt the three market principals and at this stage are happy to let punters decide which one should be favourite," added Stevens.

 

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