David Junior was the subject of hype that had to be experienced to be
believed. The Racing Post called the Brian Meehan trainee the ‘bet’ of
the day. The Racing Post assured its readers David Junior had no
dangers. Some in the press called David Junior a super star and said
that victory in the Prince of Wales would take the Pleasant Tap colt to
the top of the horse racing world. The bookmakers knew better. The
layers had David Junior at 11-8 and the odds stayed that way until
starting time. Electrocutionist, Frankie Dettori’s mount and the
Godolphin flagbearer, was losing friends because of the build-up for
David Junior and a bookmaking company went so far as offering 6-4 that
the Dubai family will go through the Royal Meeting without a winner. In
all the hoopla, Ouija Board who had opened at 13-2, went up to 8-1. The
others were not even mentioned in conversations. The race was over ten
furlongs.
Electrocutionist darted to the top and set a pressure-free pace. David
Junior lay 4th and 5th and Ouija Board raced inside of the favorite.
Dettori, Jim McGrath, the track commentator said," is where he wants to
be and he got there without using his horse." Ouija Board, McGrath
asserted, “wants them to go faster.” Jamie Spencer was within three and
half to four lengths of the pace-maker. A reminder or two from Spencer
three furlongs from home did not elicit a response from David Junior and
Electrocutionist was widening the margin. No other threat was
materializing. With a quarter of a mile to go, Dettori afforded himself
the luxury of a shoulder glance. Ouija Board had extricated herself from
the pocket and switched to the out for racing room. As Olivier Peslier
showed the Cape Cross mare some race track, the crowd began to sense
that the race was not over after all. The 2004 Oaks heroine began
devouring ground. With his advantage diminishing, Dettori started to dig
deep. As they approached the line, it was becoming evident that Ouija
Board was going to win. A jubilant Olivier Peslier raised his whip in an
act of exultation. The winning margin was a half length. Manduro,
Christophe Soumillon up, came on late to be third and David Junior
finished a well-beaten fourth.
“The reason we opted for the Prince of Wales is that she did not carry a
Group I penalty. She, apparently, came out of the Coronation Cup in good
order. She is better at a mile and a half. The Prince of Wales is two
furlongs shorter and she deserved to take her chance. She has beaten the
top two 1 1/4 mile colts in Europe, if not in the world.” Ed Dunlop,
Ouija Board’s trainer said.
Brian Meehan, David Junior’s trainer said that a lack of pace did it for
his colt. Jamie Spencer agreed that the pace was pedestrian and asserted
that David Junior will be seen in better light soon.
The day had begun with Jeremy landing the Jersey Stakes over seven
furlongs with Mick Kinane. The second race, the Windsor Forest Stakes,
over a mile, was won by Soviet Song. Ridden by Jamie Spencer, Soviet
Song at 13-8 and shorter, lay last in the 10-horse field. Given her head
with two furlongs to run, Soviet Song shot to the front and had an
insurmountable lead and coasted home. Echelon was ahead of the winner
for the most part, had to change lanes and move to the out and went in
futile chase.
Not deterred by David Junior’s defeat, Jamie Spencer won the fourth
race, the Royal Hunt Cup, with Cesare in a photo over Stronghold. It was
a mile race with 30 runners. Cesare’s trainer was J R Fanshawe who had
saddled Soviet Song in the second race.
Gilded was winning her fifth consecutive race and she was 11-2 in the
Queen Mary Stakes , the fifth race, a five-furlong dash. Fifteen
freshman fillies started. Roxan a Rock of Gibraltar filly, an impressive
winner in her debut, was making her second career start and was a 15-8
chalk. She was beaten fair and square.
The sixth and final race was the Sandringham Stakes over a straight
mile. Twenty one horses started. Red Evie, Jamie Spencer aboard, rallied
spiritedly to catch the Dettori-ridden La Motte, in the waning yards.
While Spencer kept the race, he was charged with careless riding and
received a four day suspension, July 2 to July 5, for his efforts. Red
Evie was winning five in a row and had been winning unextended. Red Evie
was 11-2 and 5-1 and I thought it was very generous.
Jamie Spencer had a
treble and has the lead in the jockey standings. End of Tuesday, Fallon
was 5-4 to be the top jockey at Royal Ascot. On Thursday, I am certain
Spencer will be odds on to win the championship.
The 225,000-pound Ascot Gold Cup is the big event on Thursday. It is the
third race and will be over two and a half miles (4000 metres) and is a
Group One race. Twelve horses go postward.
