The fast and furious five furlongs on the downs takes place on Friday, with Night Raider heading the affairs.
The Dark Angel gelding had looked an all-weather specialist until this season, having made all in the Palace House Stakes. Night Raider followed that up by beating American Affair in the Temple Stakes, where he had to come from rear. He proved he was no one trick pony there, but couldn’t quite match it at Ascot. However, he was first in his group of six up the centre, and has to be considered down in grade.
His jockey James Doyle told the Hong Kong Jockey Club, via Racingandsports: “I think the nature of the track suits Night Raider perfectly. He ran a superb race here last year on ground that was slower than ideal. I think he is my standout ride of the meeting.”
Rumstar looks to overturn Newmarket running
Rumstar was well behind Night Raider at Ascot, but swiftly bounced back to win the Group 3 Coral Charge. He won a nursery at this meeting in 2022, but his form here since doesn’t read too well. He’s closely matched with Night Raider on the Palace House form, but is yet to win above Group 3 company.
Jakajaro has been a revelation this season and a win in pattern company looks imminent. He made all at Newmarket on seasonal debut, and replicated that at York on the unfavourable far-side. He’s been beaten just over a length in three group contests since, including the Group 1 King Charles III. His prominent style will be suited to this track, and he was third in last season’s Steward’s Cup.
JM Jungle won the race last season after his City Walls’ third and bids to repeat that success. He’s improved gradually this season, and arrives on another City Walls’ third. That signalled a return to the boil, and this will have been his seasonal aim.
Asfoora in ‘great’ form leading up to potential swan song
Popular Australian mare Asfoora is set for a career swan song having yet to trouble the judge this season.
Asfoora won the King Charles III Stakes in 2024, prior to the Nunthorpe in 2025. Her trainer, Henry Dwyer told Racing and Sports, via Straitstimes: “If she won at Goodwood, I might be able to twist the owner’s arm to go to York next month. But he is pretty keen to get her home and get her served in the spring. I think she is ‘great’. So we will give her one more chance and if she doesn’t win, she doesn’t win.”
Former Royal Ascot winners American Affair and Time For Sandals also line up in what looks set to be a thrilling renewal of the King George Qatar Stakes.