The globetrotting superstar Rebel’s Romance makes his British seasonal debut as he lines up in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes. The eight-year-old Dubawi gelding has won 21 of his 31 races, including 9 Group 1’s.
Rebel’s Romance returns after taking the Dubai City of Golf Turf at Meydan in February. His record in the UK reads 111113113, and he won at this course in June 2022.
Charlie Appleby said, via the Godolphin website: “I have been very happy with Rebel’s Romance coming into this. We felt this looked a suitable race, having toyed with the idea of going to Royal Ascot. We think he is in great nick and, if he turns up on his game, they will have him to beat.”
He’ll be joined by stablemate Arabian Crown, who was third in this race last season. He looked promising in his younger years, with form figures of 31111. However he’s had a fragmented career since then, and the inclination is he’ll play the hare for Rebel’s Romance. Charlie Appleby was slightly more upbeat, as he said, though acknowledging the suggested tactics: “Arabian Crown is a fair horse in his own right. He has run some of his best races from the front. The plan would be to let him bowl along again.”
Promising juvenile Inner City Blues aiming to make it two from two
There was a plethora of support behind Inner City Blues as he made a winning debut at York last month. The Blue Point colt was given an educational ride by William Buick, reined in rear easy on.
Inner City Blues was off the bridle early on, but regathered his stride and was switched to the wide outside. He hit the front without cover into a headwind early on, and it was very impressive with how strode away.
He defeated subsequent winners there, and Appleby said: “Inner City Blues gained some valuable experience at York, having come to us from the breeze-ups. When the penny dropped, he pulled away nicely. We feel he has stepped forward and hopefully will take a bit of beating.”
Del Maro takes his place in the Bahrain Trophy and looks to get his head in front after two nose defeats. He beat the re-opposing Point Of Law on debut, and latterly went down by a nose in the Queen’s Vase.
Appleby said: “Del Maro has come out of the Queen’s Vase well. I thought it was another solid performance and a repeat of that should put him bang there.”