Godolphin looks to rule the roost at virus-hit Royal Ascot

Progressive filly Terebellum aims to follow up an exciting return to action with a first G1 success in the Queen Anne Stakes, one of the highlights on day one of Royal Ascot, on Tuesday.

The John Gosden-trained four-year-old takes on male opposition for the first time in the straight mile contest after powering to an impressive success in the G2 Dahlia Stakes over a mile and a quarter at the Newmarket on June 6.

Terebellum (Frankie Dettori) improved rapidly throughout her three-year-old season, graduating from a debut victory at Goodwood in May to G2 glory two starts later in the Prix de la Nonette at Deauville, France, in August.

She headed back to France for the 10-furlong G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp in October, when she ran well in testing ground to finish a close fifth, beaten just over a length in total.

John Gosden said: “Terebellum won well at Newmarket and has a lot of speed. I think a straight, stiff mile will suit her and she has been in great form since the Dahlia Stakes.”

Magic Lily (William Buick) finished third behind Terebellum at Newmarket and the Charlie Appleby-trained mare continues at G2 level in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, also over the straight mile on the same card.

The New Approach mare started her year with three excellent performances at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, following up G2 wins in the Cape Verdi and Balanchine with a fine second to Barney Roy in the G1 Jebel Hatta.

Meanwhile, it is hard to recall a more unusual Royal Ascot. The race meeting has been forced to take on a new look this year due to the restrictions imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Queen will not attend. No owners will be admitted. There will be no influx of visitors from Australia and the Far East. But the high-quality racing looks certain to be upheld, with the added novelty of an expanded menu of 36 races (from 30) over the five days.

For Godolphin, Royal Ascot is therefore a pivotal meeting in the calendar and a major target for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

With Moulton Paddocks supplying several key runners at this behind-closed-doors fixture, Appleby spoke about the yard’s G1 prospects this week.

Barney Roy has benefitted from a successful winter in Dubai and is now ready for his attempt at a second Royal Ascot win, according to Appleby.

The gelding faces six rivals in the G1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday. The six-year-old won the G1 St James’s Palace Stakes in 2017 when trained by Richard Hannon, and when a brief career at stud was curtailed In 2018, he was gelded and sent back into training with Appleby last year.

“I feel confident he is back to his best, and as a past winner at the Royal meeting, he has a lot of class. He steps back up to a mile and a quarter after two wins in Dubai during winter, when he really strengthened as an individual,” Appleby said.

Godolphin bids for sixth Gold Cup: The royal blue silks of Godolphin have been carried to five Gold Cup wins and there is optimism that a sixth is on the horizon.

Prior to the creation of Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed had also won the Gold Cup in successive years with the Guy Harwood-trained Sadeem (1988-89).

This year, Charlie Appleby has entered the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter and promising four-year-old stayer Moonlight Spirit.

“Cross Counter has already had an unusual season. We prepared him for the Dubai Gold Cup in March, only for the meeting to be called off because of the pandemic.

“His run when fifth in a handicap in Saudi in February was good as he was fresh and a bit keen early. He hasn’t had a race since.

“Last year, he had also only had one race before Ascot and he was able to run a very respectable fourth to Stradivarius and wasn’t beaten too far,” the trainer said.