Rizeena roared back to form for Clive Brittain when winning a messy renewal of the 2014 Gr1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday, 20 June 2014.
It was a bit of a bumpy ride for jockeys in the 20 June 2014 Coronation Stakes at Ascot with Kieren Fallon parting company with his mount at the start, after Rosalind stumbled coming out of the stalls and sent her rider tumbling into the turf.
None of the 11 runners wanted to make the running, which led to several contenders pulling, including J Wonder, who ended up in front under Jimmy Fortune. Favourite Lightning Thunder, who had been well backed in the moments before the off was posted wide on track and left with no cover, with My Titania and Rizeena just behind the leader.
Turning in, Moore was perfectly positioned to hit the front as the race developed into a sprint, a big disadvantage for those further back. On the rail, Team Valor’s Euro Charline was starting to get going for Andrea Atzeni, but was left short of room at a vital moment. The other danger to Rizeena came down the centre as Lesstalk In Paris came home with a flourish for Christophe Soumillon, but Rizeena struck the front under Ryan Moore and held off the late thrusts of Lesstalk In Paris and Euro Charline, winning by three-quarters of a length at 11-2. Lesstealk In Paris was second with Euro Charline in third.
Having won the Queen Mary and Moyglare last season, hopes were high for Rizeena’s three-year-old campaign, but things got off to an inauspicous start when she could only manage seventh in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. A retrieval mission in the Irish 1,000 Guineas had to be shelved after Rizeena bled following exercise. However returned to Ascot she extended her unbeaten record at the track to three.
Brittain, fresh from showcasing his dance moves in the winner’s enclosure, said: “I wasn’t worried about the pace. She’s a lovely walker, so they could have walked and she would have won. She’s a lovely trotter, they could have trotted and she would have won. But they galloped, and she’s great at that too and won.” A return to Ascot later in the season beckons, as Brittain added: “We’ll probably come back for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champion’s Day.”
For runner-up Lesstalk In Paris, Deauville could be the next target, as trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said: “She was disappointing in the Poule d’Essai so this was a good recovery. The Falmouth comes too close but Deauville is in our garden so we will aim for the Prix Rothschild.”
A full round-up of all the day’s results is available on the Racing Post.
Although Kieren Fallon was back on his feet quickly after his fall, he was taken off the remainder of his rides. Speaking on Saturday morning, trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who Fallon has been riding out for, said: “Kieren said he is just bruised and is hopeful he will pass the doctor.”
Fallon, who partnered Elite Army to victory for Godolphin in the King George V Stakes on Thursday, has six rides at Royal Ascot’s Saturday card. Among his rides is Forgotten Voice, who the jockey feels has “a serious chance” in the Hardwicke Stakes. Fallon also partners Groor (2.30), Wadi Al Hattawi (3.05), Tawhid (4.25), Hoof It (5.00) and Statutory (5.35).
Saturday’s card highlights include the Gr1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at 17:25 South African time, featuring the sprint stalwart, Gordon Lord Byron.
The going is declared good to firm. A total of 4mm of water was applied to the straight course after racing on Friday to maintain good to firm on the course and after a dry night the going was amended on the round course to good to firm from good to firm, good in places. Clerk of the course Chris Stickels said: “We have taken the good out of the description and the forecast is dry and bright for the day.”
The Wokingham Stakes is the major handicap taking place on the straight course on Saturday and Stickels added: “I see no difference between the two sides of the track for the race.”
The winners of the Royal Hunt Cup, Sandringham Stakes, Britannia Stakes and Buckingham Palace Stakes have been drawn towards the stands’ side in stalls 33, 22, 26 and 29 respectively.
Saturday’s Schedule
| Time | Race | Age | Prize Fund | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3:30pm | The Chesham Stakes (Listed) | 2 | £60000 | Seven furlongs |
| 4:05pm | The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) | 3+ | £75000 | One mile four furlongs |
| 4:45pm | The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) | 4+ | £200000 | One mile four furlongs |
| 5:25pm | The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) | 3+ | £525000 | Six furlongs |
| 6:00pm | The Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) | 3+ | £175000 | Six furlongs |
| 6:35pm | The Queen Alexander Stakes (Conditions) | 4+ | £60000 | Two miles five furlongs 159 yards |
A full copy of today’s card can be found at the Racing Post and live streaming of the day’s action can be accessed via the Dubai Racing Channel, Filmon’s HRTV channel or Channel 4 feed and RacingUK offers a subscription service available here.
