The King George VI Stakes is a race steeped in history and the first contest of the season where we see the top 3-year-olds take on their elders.
Six runners will line up this year with high class 3yo and Irish Derby Winner Westover heading the market at 11/8.
Fellow 3yo filly and Oaks 2nd Emily Upjohn is installed at 5/2, followed my Mishriff (10/3), Arc winner Torquator Tasso (10/1), Royal Ascot winner Broom (16/1) and Pyledriver (25/1).
2022 King George VI Stakes – The Field
Westover – 11/8 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer – Ralph Beckett | Jockey – Colin Keane
To many, the worthy favourite after his impressive 7 length win in the Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Many are question the form since 2nd Piz Badile has since come out and finished 6 of 6 in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
I, for one, am not one of those.
On the day he was by and far the best in the field. Colin Keane gave him an uncomplicated ride; not far off the pace, and within striking range to over hall the leaders.
The addition of front running Boome in the field will only play to his strengths more as it will ensure an end-to-end gallop and bring his stamina into play.
Westover is a horse who’s proved me wrong at the Curragh, and I can not see any other outcome than a Westover win especially with the weight he will be receiving from all his rivals, bar Emily Upjohn.
Emily Upjohn – 5/2 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer – John & Thady Gosden | Jockey – Frankie Dettori
The only filly in the line-up is one I am not really convinced about.
Yes, she was an unlucky 2nd in the Epsom Oaks where she stumbled out of the starting stalls and then Frankie left it too late to make his challenge on Tuesday.
Tuesday has since run in the Irish Derby and was well and truly put in her place by Westover. Yes, you can’t compare the two races on their merit as Tuesday might still have been feeling her run in the Oaks (we can not forget that she only turned 3 on the day of the Oaks).
But with that, it will be hard for a filly to come in here and take on the boys.
She will be getting weight off everything, but she will have to be on the leave on Enable to take this.
Mishriff – 10/3 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer John & Thady Gosden | Jockey – James Doyle
Last year’s runner-up comes in here on the back of what many consider an unlucky 2nd to Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Usual pilot David Egan has since been released of his duties onboard Mishriff who will now be steered by James Doyle.
Having dined at the top table many times and has come out with some high profiled wins such as winning Group 1 Juddmonte International over 1m2f, the Dubai Sheema Classic over 1m4f and the Prix de Jockey Club over 1m2f, Mishriff is by no means out of this.
Yes, he has won over 1m4 on the all-weather, but to me his best form is over 1m2f, and when push comes to shove against horses that have stamina reserves, then I think he will just come up short here.
Torquator Tasso – 10/1 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer – Marcel Weiss | Jockey – Rene Piechulek
The Arc hero and German raider comes in here on the back of a Group 2 win at Hamburg.
He is one who is hard to weigh up.
He obviously came on hand over fist for his comeback run in May when taking the Group 2 at Hamburg. His win in the Prix Arc de Triomphe was a shock (to say the least), but it will also be interesting to see if can back that up giving weight away to horses like Westover and Emily Upjohn.
Interesting, but looked over today.
Broome – 16/1 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer – Aiden O’Brien | Jockey – Ryan Moore
The pace of the race; Broome is not to be underestimated here especially if he turns up in the same form that saw him take the Group 2 Hardwick Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June.
On the day, he beat Mostahdaf into 2nd and 2021 Derby Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane into 3rd , that form gives him a chance.
To me, that was a career best performance and if he comes here in that kind of form, he could easily dictate this small field and outrun his 16/1 odds. He is my one to follow Westover home.
Pyledriver – 25/1 (2022 King George VI Stakes)
Trainer – William Muir & Chris Grassick | Jockey – P J McDonald
Even with Pyledriver being a Group 1 winner in the past, I cannot see him making his way to the winners’ enclosure here.
A very admiral horse but will find it hard to land a blow against today’s rivals.
Easily passed over.
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