Fans of international racing have been enjoyed some thrilling simulcasting racing this summer. Pyledriver, runner up in last December’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, had an impressive victory in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, while there were outstanding performances from Kyprios, Baaeed and Nashwa at Glorious Goodwood. And there is more simulcasting to come over the next few weeks, with top European racing from Deauville, Hoppegarten and York.
For the simulcast next Sunday (14 August), it is the first time we take races from Germany and the Grosser Preis von Berlin is run as one of the events marking the 200th Birthday of German Racing with the first race being run on 10 August 1820 in Doberan.
Unsurprisingly, wagering was equally positive. Total turnover, including World Pool, for King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Day and for the first three days of Glorious Goodwood was HK$1,328.2 million, an increase of almost 45% on the same four days in 2021. Notably the World Pool has continued to attract huge interest across all customer segments and geographies. It is clear that customers are seeing the true value of World Pool liquidity, while racing stakeholders are benefiting from high returns to the industry. We appreciate the efforts by Ascot and Goodwood, UK Tote, and all our other global partners, who continue to make the World Pool such a remarkable success.
The Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest is the fourth (S1-4) of eight races in our Deauville simulcast day and will be run at 9:55pm local time. Run over 1300 metres on the straight course, this is a demanding race for many horses as they try to stretch their speed at top level.
Naval Crown is the likely favourite after two strong G1 showings at Ascot, having won the G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes followed by a second in the G1 July Cup. He will be ridden by regular rider James Doyle and will go forward to make the running in a race that will be run at only a moderate tempo. The pace pressure will come from a pair of outsiders with Japanese runner King Hermes likely to push forward with Ryusei Sakai along with Kingentleman and Gregory Benoist. I make Naval Crown a place chance.
Australian sprinter Artorious has performed well behind Naval Crown in both the Platinum Jubilee and the July Cup, and looks to be in a better place here with the further distance. He is in good form and will be closing the race off strongly with Jamie Spencer as a place chance.
Highfield Princess will get a prominent position behind the leaders with jockey Jason Hart and looks like the value play after a good try in the Platinum Jubilee in June. She is a recent Group 2 winner, is well suited by the trip and will get every chance here. I make her a win and place chance.
Accakaba is a three-year-old filly that has benefited from a race over the course when a good fourth in a Group 1 at Deauville last month. She will make her run from midfield and is a place chance under Maxime Guyon.
Perfect Power has won six of nine on turf and is a multiple Group 1 winner but he was very disappointing in his last start when favoured in the July Cup. Harry Three is an interesting runner after winning three straight against lesser company. He is an improving three year old and may have a good future in front of him.
About 40 minutes before the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Now We Know, which I bred myself, will run in the Grand Handicap de Deauville (S1-3 Class 1) over 1600 metres – the race he won last year. I hope for a good result especially when he is training well and according to trainer Nicolas Clement the horse is in good form. This is Now We Know’s third start of the season with his regular rider Stephane Pasquier on board.
Comment
