Godolphin and Juddmonte, global powerhouses of horse racing, test their claims to having the best three-year-old sprinter in Friday’s (20 June) G1 Commonwealth Cup (1200m).
Godolphin’s Shadow Of Light is expected to be favourite after ending last year with victory in two prestigious Group 1 races. He was also a creditable third when stepped up to 1600m in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May.
Trainer Charlie Appleby has decided to drop Shadow Of Light back to 1200m. He said: “I’m not saying he doesn’t get a mile (1600m). Far from it. He could go for a mile again some time in the future but we are working towards running in the City Of York Stakes at York over 1400 (metres) in August. That is now a Group 1 race and this route seems best.”
Appleby added: “Shadow Of Light shows a lot of natural pace, and he has a turn-of-foot. He’s come out of the Guineas in good order and should acquit himself very well.”
Expected fast ground at Royal Ascot and rising temperatures across Great Britain presents a fresh challenge which Juddmonte hopes will favour Babouche. It was fast ground when the filly won a Group 1 race in Ireland last year and soft when disappointing the following month.
After a modest display on her return, Babouche was back to form when readily winning a Group 3 race over 1186m at Naas. Trainer Ger Lyons, said: “It was ‘welcome back Babouche’ after that win because her work at home hadn’t been her best. I was training her for the Commonwealth Cup and that was her trial for it. If she hadn’t won. I wouldn’t have brought her. Now I think she’s got a good chance.”
Whistlejacket is also likely to be favoured in betting despite having been beaten twice by Babouche and has previously shown a liking for softer ground.
A bigger challenge may come from Jonquil. Colin Keane, who recently became Juddmonte’s retained jockey, has chosen to ride Babouche but Jonquil, partnered by Christophe Soumillon, is a useful back-up. Last month he was narrowly beaten in a Group 1 race over 1600m. This is Jonquil’s first race at less than 1400m.
One runner who will relish fast ground is the United States of America’s challenger, Shisospicy, the winner of three races over 1000m and 1100m this year. Trainer Jose D’Angelo’s Gabaldon finished an excellent second in the 2024 Listed Windsor Castle Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot and D’Angelo believes he learnt a lot from that experience.
“It’s a hard decision to make but coming over is a good opportunity to show our skills. Shisospicy has done everything better than good so far, has been preparing in France and I’m excited,” he said.
The G1 Coronation Stakes (1600m) for three-year-old fillies is Friday’s second Group 1, featuring Zarigana, carrying the late Aga Khan’s colours. It will be Zarigana’s first encounter with fast ground but she is a high-class performer with more experience at a higher level than rival Falakeyah.
