NEWS
Aqlaam could be spoiler
in Queen Elizabeth II showdown
Posted: Thursday, September 24, 2009 5:46 PM
by Myra Lewyn
Godolphin’s multiple group stakes winner Delegator and Coolmore’s Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle are among the compact but talented field set to meet on Saturday at Ascot in the Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-G1).
The one-mile race is billed as a showdown between the two, who last met in the Stanjames.com Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and finished second and fourth, respectively, behind Sea The Stars. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Aqlaam, however, looms a dangerous contender.
The winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes receives an automatic starting berth in the $2-million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on November 7 at the Oak Tree meeting at Santa Anita Park via the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
Rip Van Winkle finished fourth to Sea The Stars in the Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) in his subsequent start and was second to that opponent in the Coral Eclipse Stakes (Eng-G1) before scoring in the BGC Sussex Stakes (Eng-G1) on July 29 at Goodwood in his most recent start.
Delegator finished second by a neck to Rip Van Winkle’s stablemate and Queen Elizabeth II entrant Mastercraftsman in a thrilling edition of the St. James’s Palace Stakes (Eng-G1) in June at Royal Ascot. Afterward, he was purchased by Godolphin and immediately rewarded the stable with a clear win in the Totesport.com Celebration Mile (Eng-G2) at Goodwood on August 29.
Multiple Group 1 winner Mastercraftsman finished third to Sea The Stars in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-G1) on September 5 in his most recent start.
Aqlaam, the lone four-year-old in the field for three-year-olds and older, has overcome several physical problems to win at the highest level. He powered from off the pace to take the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1) on September 6. Prior to that race, he captured the Totesport.com Summer Mile Stakes (Eng-G2) on July 11 at Ascot and finished second to Goldikova (Ire) in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le Buffard Jacques Le Marois (Fr-G1) on August 16 at Deauville.
The colt recovered from a knee chip and a hairline fracture in his pelvis he suffered earlier in his career and appears to be in top form heading into the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
“Everything is fine with the horse as far as I know,” Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager told England’s Press Association. “[Trainer] William [Haggas] seems very happy with him and he’s in good form.”
Juddmonte Farms’ homebred stakes winner Zacinto, runner-up to Delegator in the Celebration Mile, completes the field.
Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
