What do we make of Dunaden's slightly disappointing performance in the overnight Grp 1 2400m King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot UK? Last year's Melbourne Cup winner ran 6th of the 10 runners, btn about 3.3 lengths by the German star Danedream. Dunaden pulled hard and was a reluctant leader after 400m, according to the attheraces website. It says: '...Settled 2nd, led again over 3f (600m) out, chased leader until 2f (400m) out, weakened inside the final furlong (200m).' Dunaden, ri
What do we make of Dunaden's slightly disappointing performance in the overnight Grp 1 2400m King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot UK? Last year's Melbourne Cup winner ran 6th of the 10 runners, btn about 3.3 lengths by the German star Danedream. Dunaden pulled hard and was a reluctant leader after 400m, according to the attheraces website. It says: '...Settled 2nd, led again over 3f (600m) out, chased leader until 2f (400m) out, weakened inside the final furlong (200m).' Dunaden, ridden by Craig Williams, was sent out at 8/1. Danedream 9/1 beat local hero Nathaniel 5/2 by a nose with St Nicholas Abbey 5/1 3rd 1.5 lengths away. The 2/1 fav Sea Moon could finish only 5th, 1.25 lens ahead of Dunaden.
Craig Williams was a bit self-critical after riding Dunaden in the KG & QE. He says: 'He never got cover and he seemed to be a little bit on the bridle for the whole race...It was probably the wrong way to ride him.' What happens next with Dunaden? His connections are keen for him to have a crack at the Arc in Paris - and if he does go there then a Melbourne Cup bid is off the agenda. But if he dodges the Arc then a Melbourne Cup run will loom large.