![Racecourses and Entertainment](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/entertainment-l1.gif)
![Horse Racing](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/racing-l1_over.gif)
![Football](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/football-l1.gif)
![Membership](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/member-l1.gif)
![Charities and Community](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/charities-l1.gif)
![About HKJC](/racing/common/english/images/navigation/corporate-l1.gif)
![]() | |
---|---|
Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following. |
Ascot is a large right-handed galloping triangular shaped track, just over 2800m in circumference, with a home straight run of 500m on the round course. There is a straight 1600m course, which all races below 1594m are held. On the straight course, low barriers are drawn on the far side. There are two starting points for races run over 1600m and 1594m, one on the straight course and the other on the round course.
The track was redeveloped in 2005 and the ground in the straight drains quicker than the rest of the course, meaning ground descriptions can vary. Being a large track with an uphill finish dragging almost the entire straight, Ascot suits hold-up horses, and front-runners need to be ridden conservatively to ensure they save energy.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day sees seven turf races for coverage.
There are five races on the straight course. For the 1000m 3yo+ Handicap, in smaller fields they tend to come down the centre of the track, but can split into two, and sometimes even three groups in larger fields. Although uphill nearly all the way, speed horses do have a decent record over this trip, but if they go too quickly on the front, the closers will dominate.
For the 1200m Princess Margaret Stakes, they will look to come down the centre, but can split into two and three groups in larger fields. The draw results will vary, but it is advisable to look for the speed angle, especially in larger fields, as the winner usually comes from where the pace is, and results are more pace-dependent than draw-dependent.
For both 1400m 3yo+ Handicap and Pat Eddery Stakes, and the 1600m 3yo+ 86-105 Handicap, in smaller fields they tend to come down the middle, but in larger fields they can split into two and even three groups. With the straight course being uphill nearly all the way, the further they go the more it suits horses ridden patiently, and those ridden with restraint normally do well.
For the 1594m Valiant Stakes, they start from a chute at the top of the course on the right-hand side. They then run in a straight line with a steady rise before meeting the home bend and entering the 500m straight, which is uphill to the finish. There is no draw bias, but horses ridden with restraint usually do well.
The draw on the round course is of little consequence. The feature race, 2392m King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, they start at the top of the back straight and have a nice long downhill run before levelling out at Swindley Bottom and turning into a steady straight rise down the side of the course onto a sweeping home turn entering the 500m uphill straight. Horses on the front will be afforded every opportunity in steadily run races, but races run at a decent gallop will suit back-markers as the uphill rise will take its toll on those ridden aggressively. The King George has only seen an average field size of 7.6 over the last ten years. During that time, those toward the top of the betting have a good record with four winning favourites, and no winner has been at double figures in that time.
Last year’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes was run on good to firm ground and saw a field of five runners go to post. On leaving the stalls, BROOME was tad slow to break whilst LONE EAGLE took up the running with ADAYAR on his outside. The pair were soon joined by BROOME, whose rider was intent on making the running, whilst his stable companion, LOVE, sat in fourth spot, with MISHRIFF at the back. The race barely changed complexion, with BROOME ensuring a truly run contest. Coming around the bend, the leader BROOME was pushed along and ADAYAR went by, as MISHRIFF, from the back chased hard on the outside. However, ADAYAR kicked strongly in the straight to see off MISHRIFF by 1.75 lengths with LOVE a further 1.75 lengths behind back in third, in a time that was 3.46 seconds faster than standard.
The weather forecast suggests fine and very warm days, especially early in the week, leading up to the meeting. If the forecast are correct, even allowing for watering there will be good and most likely firm, in the going description.
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.