Enable too good in King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes

Darryl Sherer - Sunday July 30

Enable rewarded a brutal diet regime for Frankie Dettori when beating the older horses in Saturday's Group I King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.

Advertisement
Enable winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: Longines

Dettori had shed seven pounds in six days to make the 8:07 (54kg) for the English and Irish Oaks winner and the heavily backed 5/4 favourite revelled in the softening conditions to score comfortably.

Enable was third approaching the home turn as stablemate Maverick Wave was setting the pace for Jack Hobbs.

Dettori released the handbrake into the home straight and Enable quickened clear, going on to defeat Ulysses (9/1) by 4 1/2-lengths with Idaho (8/1) a further three-quarters of a length away third.

Highland Reel was came under pressure three furlongs out and stayed on for fourth, beaten just under nine lengths while the Argentine visitor Sixties Song was never a factor in the conditions and finished last of the 10 runners.

"Those days of not eating have paid off - I could do with a good burger now," Dettori told Racing UK.

"She goes on any ground and now she has proved she can match up with older horses - she's very good."

Trainer John Gosden won this race in 2014 with another of his Epsom Oaks winners in Taghrooda but told the Sporting Life Enable was as good a filly he has trained.

"The facts show she can do it on any ground and Frankie was bold," Gosden said.

"She breaks well and is very business like. It wasn't the plan to be that close, but she was getting weight from the older horses.

"I thought Ulysses made a brave run at her and I thought Maverick Wave did a beautiful job pacemaking."

Enable emulated her sire Nathaniel, also trained by Gosden, in winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Gosden said will now attempt to win another Oaks.

"All in all she's as good a filly as I've ever trained - Taghrooda was brilliant to win this and she's following Dahlia and Pawneese," Gosden said.

"I've always planned the Yorkshire Oaks, then pause, stop and think - no trials and then possibly the one in Paris (Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe)."

Sportsbet make Enable the $3 favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m) on October 2.

You can watch the race below, Enable in the green jacket, pink cap and second early.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Big Sky Three-Quarter Sister Highlights MM Online Sale
A three-quarter sister to the unbeaten juvenile Big Sky, one of the serious players for this month's $2 million Group One Blue Diamond Stakes, headlines the Magic Millions Digital Sale (6-11 February), which is now open for bidding.
Street Boss Colt Closer To Free Surprises in G3 Blue Diamond Prelude
While Home Affairs colt Guest House was all the rage to remain unbeaten, the new connections of exciting Street Boss colt Closer To Free would be over the moon after his win in the G3 MRC Blue Diamond Prelude (C&G) (1100m), having only purchased him recently off the back of a jumpout victory.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Canterbury
Four heats at Canterbury on Friday were won by juveniles and three were unraced youngsters including a $1million Snitzel colt, while G3 Gimcrack Stakes winner Shiki was also sent around following her midfield finish in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic last month.
St Mark’s Basilica Colt Wins MM Tasmania 2YO Classic by Eight!
Tasmanian 2YO sensation Aristopolos ran as a short priced favourite in the $85,000 Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) in Hobart on Friday and the son of 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) kept his unbeaten record intact with scintillating victory.
Sires With Winners - Friday February 6
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
People at Classic - Feeling The Vibe
Given the numbers of people and the numbers of inspections it’s fair to say there’s a very good vibe about the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and Maree McEwan was out and about talking to more of the players on Friday.
New SW Ocean Park - Autumn Glory Wins G2 Waikato Guineas
Autumn Glory came off the bench to secure her future broodmare career when taking out the Gr.2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Legarto wins G1 Herbie Dyke - Milestone for Opie Bosson
It was apt for Opie Bosson to bring up his 100th Group One win on Legends Day at Te Rapa.
Nigella Lane Wins Listed Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders
Cambridge mare Nigella Lane was runner-up in last year’s Listed Clubs NZ Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) and she was able to go one better in this year’s edition at Tauherenikau on Waitangi Day.
Enable a firm favourite for the Arc
Champion three-year-old filly Enable is a commanding odds-on favourite to win Europe’s most prestigious race – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) – at Chantilly this weekend.