Sport | Horse Racing
Hills seeks Coronation crown
History beckons for Richard Hills who is seeking to secure a long-awaited victory in the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) - the highlight of today's race meeting at Royal Ascot.
- By Leslie Wilson Jr, Sports Editor
- Published: 00:08 June 20, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, arrives with his wife Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain at Royal Ascot.
Ascot: History beckons for Richard Hills who is seeking to secure a long-awaited victory in the Coronation Stakes (Group 1) - the highlight of today's race meeting at Royal Ascot.
Hills partners the progressive filly Muthabara who has the potential to give owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, his first success in the prestigious race after Al Bahathri triumphed in his famous blue colours back in 1985.
The Coronation Stakes is widely recognised as the fillies equivalent of the St James's Palace Stakes (Gr 1) and as a natural progression for those who have run creditably in the 1,000 Guineas earlier in the season.
The John Dunlop-trained filly lost her unbeaten record when coming eighth in the 1,000 Guineas, after suffering an 11th-hour injury scare when she was reported to be "slightly sore" after a workout at John Dunlop's Arundel yard the day before the race.
Earlier this week Angus Gold, racing manager to Shaikh Hamdan, commented on the filly's progress since her Newmarket outing.
'Good form'
"She's in good form and her trainer seems happy with her," he said.
Nahoodh, another Guineas disappointment with Dubai connections, is also set to start in today's race. Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Nahoodh makes her first start for Mark Johnston.
Formerly trained by Mick Channon, the daughter of Clodovil was bought by Shaikh Hamdan after finishing a luckless fifth in the 1,000 Guineas, and transferred to Johnston following a disappointing seventh in the Irish 1,000 at the Curragh.
"We're just getting to know her as fast as we can and I think it's unlikely we'll have decided either way by the six-day stage so it's likely she'll be left in and we will make a late decision over her," the trainer told sportinglife.com.
"When you take over a horse like her at this stage of the season, and with a short space to her first run for you, it's hard to put a personal stamp on the filly.
"I have to admit if we run her in the Coronation Stakes it's going to be predominately Mick Channon's training. There's not an awful lot I can change in the time."
Both Muthabara and Nahoodh take on some high-quality runners including Cheveley Park Stud duo Spacious and Infallible.
The two fillies, who finished second and fourth respectively in the 1,000 Guineas, head the betting as they bid to give the owners a fourth victory in this Group One over the round mile.
Trained by James Fanshawe Spacious was three-quarters of a length ahead of the John Gosden-trained Infallible in the Newmarket Classic, won by Natagora.
"Both fillies are well. Their trainers are very happy with them and they've both come on for their Guineas run," said Cheveley Park managing director Chris Richardson.
"It's exciting and they are first and second favourites. There's been a bit of money for Infallible based on what she is showing at home."
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