Mick Kinane, Jim McGrath rate Wellington’s Royal Ascot chances

Hong Kong’s first Royal Ascot win came in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1,200m), and the man that partnered Cape Of Good Hope to that historic success, Michael Kinane, believes Wellington is a genuine chance to add his name to the honour roll.

Kinane, who has a string of Hong Kong features – including two Derbies – on his glittering CV, knows what sort of horse it takes to thrive down the Ascot straight, and he believes Wellington can make his mark in the 2023 edition of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday.

“I think his style of racing should suit. He should be able to get home well. If he hits his best, he’s a chance, for sure. It’s good to see him travel, and it would be nice if he could get a result,” Kinane said.

Four-time Group One winner Wellington has found life tougher on home shores since the emergence of Lucky Sweynesse as a genuine superstar, and Kinane says Cape Of Good Hope – who raced abroad a remarkable 12 times while based in Hong Kong – did not truly get his chance to shine in Hong Kong because of the great Silent Witness.

The David Oughton-trained Cape Of Good Hope’s Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes win came in 2005 – the year York held the royal meeting because Ascot was under redevelopment – and Kinane’s role in history almost did not happen.

“He was a bit of a freak. He was unfortunate to be at the same time as Silent Witness. He was always running into him at home, so he had to look for softer targets. He was a great horse to travel,” said Kinane, remembering a last-minute change that saw his mount, Somnus, scratched because of the improving ground, allowing him to jump back aboard Cape Of Good Hope after partnering him to fourth in the Group One King’s Stand Stakes (1,000m) four days earlier.

“I’d been committed to a horse of Tim Easterby’s [Somnus]. I’d won a Group One on him, but the ground was too quick. Fortunately, I was able to jump on board [Cape Of Good Hope].

“It was a great day, especially considering my association with David Oughton. The owner was a good friend, too.”

Describing the action for the BBC that day in 2005 was Australian commentator Jim McGrath, who called in Hong Kong in the 1970s and 80s and still keeps a keen eye on the city’s racing.

McGrath has called as many as 25 Royal Ascot carnivals – including Hong Kong’s other victory at the prestigious meeting, Little Bridge’s success in the 2012 Group One King’s Stand Stakes (1,000m) – and he believes Wellington’s tilt has the ingredients required to be successful.

“I think what’s in Wellington’s favour is he’s a horse who can run a strong 1,400m. Here, over the six furlongs, you really need to stay the trip. It’s very, very different. There are undulations,” McGrath said.

Wellington ‘probably the best horse in the race’: Moore

“A lot of people have expressed scepticism about him coping with the straight course, but I don’t see that as a problem as long as he can tuck in. Ryan Moore is going to ride him, and there’s no better man for a job.”

Joining Wellington at single figures in the market for Saturday’s dash are three-time Group One winner Highfield Princess – second in Tuesday’s King’s Stand Stakes – Australia’s Artorius, Art Power, Sacred and Kinross, the latter of whom carries the colours of Hong Kong owner Marc Chan.

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