The Diamond Jubilee Stakes over the straight 1200m is the G1 highlight of a classy six-race simulcast programme on the fifth and final day of Royal Ascot's iconic meeting.
The 2015 version of this sprint, famously won by Hong Kong's Cape Of Good Hope 10 years ago, sees an impressive Australian challenge this time with Brazen Beau expected to start favourite, and Wandjina a strong back-up.
This was, of course, the sprint in which the incredible Aussie mare Black Caviar so nearly lost her unbeaten record, holding on by a whisker in 2012. And the locals will take heart from the fact that, apart from Cape Of Good Hope and Black Caviar, plenty of strongly fancied overseas raiders have been eclipsed at short odds in this, the sixth leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.
However Brazen Beau, the intended mount of Craig Williams, has very persuasive credentials having taken on three of the highest rated sprinters in the world in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington over 1200m back in March.
Admittedly, as a three-year-old, he was getting plenty of weight in that Flemington dash but the manner in which he surged clear under Jaoa Moreira was stunning and, after some deliberations, his trainer Chris Waller announced that they would stick to that distance at Royal Ascot - rather than the 1000m of Tuesday's King's Stand Stakes.
Of his speedster Waller says: "There are so many things to consider when you travel a horse overseas but the preparation has been smooth helped by the fact that nothing phases Brazen Beau. He's just got the best temperament."
Gai Waterhouse admits to loving the style of Royal Ascot but has serious intent with Wandjina, also a G1 Flemington winner in March when he captured the Australian Guineas over 1600m. The seven times champion Sydney trainer thinks she has the right sort of horse for this test: "The 1200m at Ascot is quite gruelling and it needs a horse who can finish off and he certainly can," she says.
Undrafted, the US raider, has already had experience of racing in the UK running a terrific fourth in the 2014 Darley July Cup. And his trainer Wesley Ward has already had a Royal Ascot winner this week when two-year-old speedball Acapulco blitzed her rivals in Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary Stakes. Moreover Undrafted’s jockey Frankie Dettori is currently riding with huge confidence after a string of big race wins.
Viewers to this simulcast day a year ago may recall Telescope storming clear of his rivals in the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over 2400m. They may see the same sight again this weekend as he comes into this year's race fresh off an easy victory at Newbury. The imposing five-year-old will be ridden again by Ryan Moore, who dominated the first two days of this week's Royal Ascot meeting.
