It's the fourth of five days on the South Downs at Goodwood for their big summer festival and the feature is the King George Qatar Stakes.
The famous sprint might be only a Group 2, but it has attracted a Group 1 field and carries a prize of more than £77,000 to the winner. It is run over the downhill five furlongs at Goodwood and tends to suit those with natural speed.
Clive Gildon provides his analysis on the big race at Goodwood’s marquee meeting, where they race from 1.50-5.20, with the King George Qatar Stakes itself off at 3.35.
Bet On Goodwood
3.35 – King George Qatar Stakes (5f, Group 2)
This is a cracking sprint and a rematch between Asfoora and BIG EVS, who finished first and third in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and look the two to beat once again.
Big Evs is a confident selection to reverse the places with his Ascot conqueror. The Mick Appleby-trained three-year-old has loads of speed and looked like he had the King’s Stand under control when entering the final furlong nicely clear. He was run down only inside the final furlong.
The downhill nature of this track will help Big Evs and we know he likes it here as he won the Molecomb over course and distance last season.
He went on to land the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on firm ground around a sharp bend at Santa Anita, further confirming his liking for a test of speed, and this should prove an ideal examination.
Appleby won the Molecomb again on Wednesday for the same owners with Big Mojo, so the stable is in superb form, and Big Evs is still only a three-year-old so there should be a bit more to come.
The best alternative might be Makarova, who appears to be improving judging on her victory at Sandown last month when she recorded a career-best effort.
The Ed Walker-trained mare was upped to Group 2 company in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh last time and, although well beaten by winner Believing, she can be considered better than the form.
Makarova was travelling nicely when she got caught in a bunch of runners at a crucial stage and rider Hector Crouch had to snatch her up. She lost at least two lengths by having to be brought off heels and around runners, but nothing finished stronger and she wasn’t beaten far into third.
She would almost certainly have finished second that day with more luck in running and looks the value each-way play as there is a chance she can reverse the places with Believing.
She was only four lengths behind Asfoora and Big Evs when seventh in Group 1 company at Royal Ascot and has run well at the top level in the past on other occasions. She evidently has the ability to play a big part, provided the race sets up well for her, and that looks likely with lots of front-runners lining up.
SELECTION: BIG EVS
NEXT BET: MAKAROVA
