Nine runners have been confirmed for the coveted Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. The race is stacked with quality, and notably features the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Daryz. The Sea The Stars colt has been met with defeat just twice in his nine-raced career, including on British shores. He produced an electric turn of foot to collar Minnie Hauk in the Longchamp Classic last season.
That turn of foot enabled connections to drop him back to ten furlongs for his seasonal debut, taking the Prix Ganay. Daryz backed that up with a career best effort in the Prix Aga Khan IV, formerly the Prix d’Ispahan. Now a proven Group 1 performer at this trip, he can give Ombudsman something to think about.
Last year’s winner Ombudsman has also returned in strong form, landing the Brigadier Gerard from the race-fit Gethin. That came after a two length success in the Dubai Turf. Ombudsman produced a tremendous performance in the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor Meeting, reversing the Eclipse form with Delacroix.
His career best RPR of 130 came in this contest last season, and with him seemingly improving again, he could produce something special. Devil’s Advocate has been confirmed as a pace-maker, as that was a successful tactic for Ombudsman with Birr Castle at York.
Recent Group 1 winner Almaqam among challengers
Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Almaqam is closely matched on form with Ombudsman. He beat him at Sandown last season, but failed to uphold that form when two lengths behind him in the Champion Stakes. However, his breakthrough Group 1 at the Curragh has been franked generously. Bay City Roller (2nd) won the Coronation Cup by 10 lengths next time out. Despite that, he may need it softer to threaten the principals.
Minnie Hauk renews her rivalry with Daryz but has something to prove after being well-beaten by Almaqam last time out. She looked a star filly last season after winning four Oaks titles, prior to her second in the Arc. She did the job on seasonal debut beating an 88 rated stablemate, but certainly has to bounce back from a below par effort now.
Two other fillies in Kalpana and See The Fire were also confirmed. Kalpana likely had a harder race than anticipated on seasonal debut, fending off West Wind Blows by a neck. She missed this meeting last season, but her career best RPR came here when a length second to Calandagan in the King George.
See The Fire is two from two this season and bids to go two places better than last season. She’s an admirable filly in her own right, but she may come up short again at this level.