Racing Royal Ascot report and previewTemperamentally Rakti might be a delinquent but after his stunning success in yesterday's Prince Of Wales Stakes there isn't a yard in the world that wouldn't like to house him.
The former Derby Italiano winner arrived for the 2003 Prince Of Wales as a 50 to 1 shot and found only Nayef too good. Those who sniffed at his chance then were firmly put in their place when he subsequently won the Champion Stakes but right now Rakti looks as good a mile and a quarter horse as there is in the world.
Typically for a horse who believes the world revolves around him, the giant five-year-old tried to do everything to get himself beaten yesterday.
Some moody pre-race work had trainer Michael Jarvis worried and jockey Philip Robinson had his arms extended by the time they reached the start. With the Godolphin favourite Sulamani and Aidan O'Brien's Powercourt in opposition such a headstrong performance had Rakti's supporters worried. That he could continue such a belligerent attitude to the straight and still win by two lengths from Powerscourt makes one wonder how good Rakti might become.
"He is such a strong horse he is never off the bridle and he will definitely improve for that," reported Robinson. "All credit to Mr Jarvis because I was very worried about his work but he said as they get older they don't do as much at home."
Jarvis in turn was keen to praise Rakti's lad Bob McDonald and said: "This is not a straightforward horse. He is a bully and will push you out of his box if he doesn't like the look of you. But I think he is the best 10 furlong horse I have had."
That means the Eclipse Stakes is an obvious target next where Rakti could again run in to Powerscourt and the third-placed Ikhtyar.
"Powerscourt ran a good race I thought and he has all the options like the Eclipse and the King George," said Aiden O'Brien whose luck was also out in the opening Jersey Stakes where Grand Reward was last behind the Godolphin winner Kheleyf.
However, if O'Brien wasn't firing John Magnier still managed to hit the scoresheet with the well-backed Damson who retained her unbeaten record in style in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes.
Trainer David Wachman, Magnier's son-in-law, only decided last Friday to aim Damson at the race and hit the mark with his first Royal Ascot runner.
"Right from day one she has shown plenty but I wouldn't know what a Queen Mary winner is supposed to look like," said the 32-year-Kildare native. "But I do now!"
Jamie Spencer guided Damson from the rear to take it up at the furlong pole from the other 11 to 2 joint-favourite Soar. The style was enough for Cashmans to stick a 25 to 1 quote on the filly for next year's 1,000 Guineas.
Mine provided trainer James Bethall with a second Royal Ascot winner 27 years after the first when coming out on top in a blanket finish.
