Thursday 15th August 2019

Sovereign Stakes Group 3 (1m) Salisbury

Trends:

Trends used for this race are official rating 105 or higher, distance winners or up to 1m 2f and won or placed last time out. I could not identify a key race that previous winners have run in or any trainers to note. Despite the mile division being a little disappointing this season, this looks a fair renewal with quite a number rated above the official rating trend of 105.

Qualifiers:

King Ottaker & Marie's Diamond

Pace & Tactics

Pace should be honest enough with Mojito and Kick On, but King Ottaker may well want to ensure this is a stamina test as he is a winner at 1m 2f, so may be pressing or sitting just behind the leaders. Several of this field opposed each other in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, where they met the improving Sangarius, and are setting their sights a little lower here.

Both Mojito and Kick On fail on the last time out trend, the latter is the probable frontrunner, he faded like a light at Royal Ascot in the Hampton Court Stakes but he was sweating quite badly and may well benefit for the drop back to a mile having shown promise in the 2,000 Guineas. Mojito steps up in class after failing to justify being the favourite for the Golden Mile at Goodwood, he is one of a few that will need to settle better but this could be a calmer affair than the bustle of a big handicap. Connections of both are confident the softening ground conditions will not be a hindrance. King Ottaker is another who will relish the soft ground, he was 3rd in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot under 3l behind the smart Sangarius, that form received a boost when Fox Chairman won a Listed race at Newbury. He is yet to win at a mile but is unexposed, so could be a potential improver. Maries Diamond won the Listed Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract recently where he was allowed to set a steady pace in front. It looked a bit workmanlike and he will need to improve to step up to Group level as a 3yo.

Three others fail the last time out trend Great Scot finished down the filed in the Hampton Court Stakes, should be suited by the drop back in trip but needs to settle better to be a player at this level. Accidental Agent the winner of last year's Queen Anne is a bit of an enigma this season having failed to come out of the stalls at Royal Ascot, this drop in class could bring out the best in him if he settles and runs his race. Tabarrak has never really cut the mustard at Group level despite showing enough promise when winning Listed affairs and he could well find a few too good here. Flashcard fails the OR trend by 4lb but won a class 2 (3yo) handicap last time and has been making steady progress this summer. He was raised 10lb for that 4l win and if judged on how the 4th and 5th have done subsequently he will need to step on again to take this, but he is obviously an improving sort.

Selection:

There could be some defectors if it becomes too testing and it's difficult to stray away from King Ottaker, despite some improvers lurking in this field, he will relish the conditions and a strong pace. His 4l defeat by Sangarius at Royal Ascot appears good form.