Australian
entry Houtzen stumbled leaving the gates in the Group I King's Stand Stakes at
Royal Ascot overnight in wet conditions making her task all the harder with
Godolphin runner Blue Point prevailing to win the race as he did last year
beating the same horse again in Battaash.
A five year-old stallion by Shamardal, Blue Point had been in hot form at the
Dubai carnival earlier this year winning all three of his starts at Meydan most
recently the Group I Al Quoz Sprint.
Tuned up for this assignment by Charlie Appleby and ridden by James Doyle, Blue
Point made light of the driving rain during this race, hitting the line hard to
beat his old rival Battaash by a length and a quarter in the five furlong sprint
with Houtzen a battling eighth.
"I have to say I was
a bit concerned about the ground but it can rain as much as it likes now! Like
any good athlete, we don't want Blue Point to slog around in slower conditions
but I felt the horse was in the condition of his life. To get back-to- back
wins in this race is fantastic. I know this horse is going to have a great
career at stud com the end of the season," Charlie Appleby said.
With 10 wins and six placings from 19 starts, Blue Point has been super consistent
at the highest level.
A half-brother to Group II winner Formosina, he is the best of three winners
from Scarlett Rose, a half-sister by Royal Applause to Group III winner Tumbleweed
Ridge.
Other Group I winners at Royal Ascot overnight were six year-old gelding Lord
Glitters (Whipper x Lady Glitters), winner of the Queen Anne Stakes (1m) and
Circus Maximus (3cGalileo x Duntle), winner of the St James's Palace Stakes
(1m).