It was an amazing start to the 2022 Royal Ascot Carnival last night as Australia's own Nature Strip smashed the field to win the Group 1 King's Stand Stakes. It was a sensational win and there were plenty of punters cheering in the middle of the night as they stayed up to watch Nature Strip salute.
We're back at Royal Ascot again today for Day 2 of the carnival as our friends at Tips4Punters bring you their preview and racing tips for every race on Day 2.
2022 Royal Ascot Betting Tips - Day 2
Race 1 - Queen Mary Stakes (Fillies' Group 2) - 11:30pm AEST
The Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes for the Fillies’ kicks off Day 2 at Royal Ascot 2022. It was a disappointing day yesterday for US trainer Wesley Ward with Golden Pal but in the opener, he runs Love Reigns. Who on her debut at Keeneland destroyed a field of 12 runners by 9 ¾ lengths! Wes Ward’s Royal Ascot runners should always be respected and this filly is no exception. Another very worthy of a mention for win purposes is the Karl Burke trained Dramatised, landing an 8 runner maiden race at Newmarket she looked promising I would expect her to improve a chunk. In the opener though I am siding with the Havana Grey filly KATEY KONTENT who started her career by winning at Salisbury and on her most recent start won at Windsor, defying a penalty. With lots more improvement to come she is the pick. The other US raider in this is Grand Oak and is worth a glance for trainer George R Arnold II, big odds though!
Race 2 - Queen's Vase (Group 2) - 12:05am AEST
Two Frankel colts and a filly take part in the Queen’s Vase and it’s the two colts of his I want to give a mention. Firstly, Baltic Bird with Frankie Dettori onboard for John and Thady Gosden. His record reads 321, clearly progressing as he races and could go close in this. The other Frankel colt NAHANNI is the pick for the race. His record reads 21117, with that 7th coming in the Epsom Derby (won by Desert Crown). He is upped in trip which should see improvement. Top jockey Will Buick is in the saddle for the boys in blue (who had a good day yesterday). All signs look good. And you can’t leave out Eldar Eldarov for Roger Varian, another with a serious chance.
Race 3 - Prince Of Wales's Stakes (Group 1) - 12:40am AEST
Sir Michael Stoute’s Bay Bridge will be a big fav for this race, last seen winning the prestigious Brigadier Gerard at Sandown, impressively but the Japanese have had huge success on the world stage lately and for this reason I really like the look of SHAHRYAR in this. Won the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, beating Godolphin’s Yibir by a neck. This Deep Impact colt has been performing really well at home in graded races, recently running 3rd in the Japan Cup (won by Contrail). This will be his second international race. Should go close. Globe trotter State Of Rest is also another horse worthy of a mention. Has had big wins in the USA, Australia and France. Chance!
Race 4 - Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Fillies And Mares' Group 2) - 1:20am AEST
The Duke Of Cambridge Stakes is a euro affair with runners from the UK, Ireland, France and Germany! I found it very difficult to pick between Saffron Beach and Sibila Spain in this race and in the end, I have gone with the French trained SIBILA SPAIN. She won a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud on her most recent start. She will have to deal with different ground today and I think she will. Saffron Beach ran 2nd in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last year and more recently 4th in the Dubai Turf at Meydan (won by Japan’s Panthalassa) and I honestly think if Sibila Spain does not win then Saffron Beach takes this. Of the others the William Haggas trained Bashkirova is most worthy of a mention, last seen winning at the Derby meeting at Epsom. German Guineas winner Novemba is also worth a look for trainer Peter Schiergen.
Race 5 - Royal Hunt Cup - 2:00am AEST
A huge field of runners go in the Royal Hunt Cup. So many with chances in this and these include Intellogent for Jane Chapple-Hyam, Symbolize for Andrew Balding and Bopedro for Jess Harrington but the one horse I want to concentrate on is DARK SHIFT. Worth noting, he has a good record at Ascot (3 from 5 wins here). The most recent win at Ascot coming in October 2021. Recent winner of a Nottingham handicap and has a good chance with a penalty. Another to mention is Totally Charming for George Boughey with Dettori in the saddle this time.
Race 6 - Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) - 2:35am AEST
Another big field for the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. Again, plenty in with a chance and in this I include Little Big Bear for Aidan O’Brien, the Wesley Ward runner Seismic Spirit and Ed Walker’s Union Court. Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson teamed up for a nice winner yesterday in the Coventry Stakes and I think Hollie and Archie can win again today with EDDIE'S BOY at big odds. Yes, he needs more but with cheekpieces on this could come. If your feeling brave go for the win, if not then he is an each-way player.
Race 7 - Kensington Palace Stakes - 3:10am AEST
The Kensington Palace Stakes closes Day 2 of Royal Ascot 2022. Plenty of Fillies’ and Mares’ in with a chance in this to which I include Mobadra, Haziya and Farhh To Shy but WHITE MOONLIGHT appeals to me. Off the track for some time (Not raced since October 2019) she recently reappeared at Chelmsford on the All-Weather coming 3rd in a Novice Stakes. That run should have set her right for this and she can go well for Godolphin. Her jockey Danny Tudhope had a double on Day 1.
