EXPERT RACING TIPS: ROYAL ASCOT

Royal Ascot is one of the world’s most revered race meetings, held across five days at Ascot Racecourse in the middle of June. With the Queen in attendance, the famous meeting kicks off with three Group 1 races on Tuesday – the Queen Anne Stakes, King’s Stand Stakes and St. James’ Palace Stakes – and concludes on Saturday, when the Platinum Jubilee Stakes brings the Group 1 action to a close. Australian horses have enjoyed great success at the carnival down the years, headlined by Black Caviar’s heartstopping victory in the 2012 Golden Jubilee Stakes. Be sure to head to the Betfair Hub for your Royal Ascot tips.                 

FEATURE RACES

The King’s Stand Stakes, run over five furlongs (1000m) on the opening day of the carnival, has been a very happy hunting ground for Australian sprinters. Choisir blazed a trail, becoming the first Australian-trained horse to win the race in 2003. Four days later, trainer Paul Perry backed up his stable star in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (1200m) and Choisir promptly won again, which led to him being named Europe’s Champion Sprinter for 2003. Choisir’s performance persuaded an increasing number of Australian trainers to send their sprinters to the royal meeting, with Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast (2009) subsequently adding their names to the roll call of champions for the King’s Stand Stakes. However, undoubtedly the most famous Australian victory at Royal Ascot came in 2012, when Black Caviar (aka ‘Nelly’) put her unbeaten record on the line in the Golden Jubilee Stakes. Despite an interrupted build-up, Black Caviar seemed to have the race at her mercy at the 200 metre-mark, only for jockey Luke Nolen to drop his hands in the closing which allowed Moonlight Cloud to rapidly close in on her. After an agonising wait for the photo finish judge to deliver his verdict, Black Caviar was declared the winner and, by the narrowest of margins, kept her flawless race record intact. For Royal Ascot racing tips and in-depth analysis, the Betfair Hub is well worth a visit.           

TRACK PROFILE

With a circumference of 2,800m and a long home straight measuring 500m, Ascot Racecourse is renowned as one of the UK’s finest and fairest tracks. There is a deceptively steep incline up the home straight, testing the stamina of horses at the end of races. All races run over 1400m or less are held on the straight course. With every horse generally getting their chance, punters can bet with confidence at Ascot. Our Royal Ascot betting tips are posted on the Betfair Hub every day of the carnival.       

HISTORY

Over its 300-year history, Ascot has become a national institution with the royal meeting forming the centrepiece of Britain’s summer social calendar each June. The racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne, with the inaugural race meeting staged in August of that year. In 1768, Ascot staged its first four-day meeting although the Royal Ascot as we know it today only began to take shape with the first running of the Ascot Gold Cup in 1807. For tips on the Gold Cup and Royal Ascot best bets, visit the betfair Hub during the royal meeting.