Signora has to be the starting point in the June 20 Albany Stakes (G3) at Ascot Racecourse, although her sister Exactly's best came over further than this trip, so legitimate questions can be posed about whether she will be quick enough to win at six furlongs.
She found things happening too fast at Naas on her debut last month, but was pitched in at the deep end in a group 3 and kept on into third. She went off 12-1, so outran expectations, with the Ryan Moore-ridden stablemate and 4-5 favorite Simply Astounding fifth.
But improvement can be expected from Signora, and the Aidan O'Brien-trained juveniles are flying this week.
"She's only had the one run, but she seems to have progressed nicely from it," O'Brien said. "We think she's nice."
Starman is an old favorite and his first progeny have hit the track this year. What a success they have been, too, with 10 winners from just 57 representatives, and Flowerhead almost gave the new sire his best success when second in the June 18 Queen Mary Stakes (G2) at 100-1.
This race provides Starman his biggest opportunity for a first Royal Ascot success because he is the sire of not only the well-fancied Venetian Sun, but also Gold Digger and Green Sense. All three are single-figure odds in the overnight market and that speaks volumes for the sire.
O'Brien relies on Balantina to emulate Porta Fortuna
Donnacha O'Brien unleashed one of the best fillies of recent seasons in this race two years ago when Porta Fortuna notched the first of her two Royal Ascot victories under Frankie Dettori, and Balantina bids to repeat the feat in the same colors.
The Ten Sovereigns filly finished a promising fourth on her debut at the Curragh behind Andab and improved to land the odds last time at the same track when staying on strongly to beat stablemate Cape Sounion on Irish Guineas weekend.
Balantina is owned by Steve Weston and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, who were both part of Porta Fortuna's ownership.
Tom Marquand takes the ride and he has enjoyed an excellent partnership with Donnacha O'Brien, riding two winners and a second from three rides between Britain and Ireland, including at this meeting last year when steering Porta Fortuna to land the Coronation Stakes.
Donnacha O'Brien said: "She's been in good form since she won at the Curragh. We think the track and the trip will suit her. It's a competitive race, but we think she'll run well."
American Connections
Several other entrants in the Albany bear American connections. Amo Racing brings stakes-placed Bibi Dahl across the pond after a runner-up finish to Lennilu in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes in her debut at Gulfstream Park. Lennilu also came to Royal Ascot, finishing third in the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) June 18.
A $1.35 million purchase by Amo at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the American Pharoah filly was bred in Kentucky by Springhouse Farm out of graded winner Just Louise.
"Bibi Dahl's come over from Gulfstream. She was second on her debut to Lennilu, who was third in the Queen Mary," Amo Racing's Amy Drummond said. "She's a lovely filly and has taken well to being over in England, so we're hopeful of a nice run."
Two Albany runners are listed under new ownership for the race. Stonestreet Stables and Amo Racing acquired Ipanema Queen, trained by Adrian Murray. The Sands of Mali filly won on debut last month at the Curragh.
Jack Davison trainee Oh Cecilia is now racing for Staton Flurry and Partners. The filly has won one of two starts, defeating subsequent Windsor Castle Stakes third Rogue Legend last out at Cork.
"The form is shaping up nicely from her win at Cork and I couldn't be any happier with her since," Davison said. "She's improving and six furlongs on quick ground will suit her and I think she can run a huge race. This has been the plan as she has a biggish frame to fill so I didn't feel the need to run her again before Ascot."
Amiloc Aims for a Win Over Colts in King Edward VII
Runners beaten in the Epsom Derby (G1) typically have two options when it comes to Royal Ascot—the Hampton Court Stakes (G3) or the King Edward VII Stakes (G2).
Those who were deemed to have stayed but were possibly unlucky in the run or didn't handle Epsom's idiosyncratic track tend to go for the latter.
This can therefore be a good pointer towards autumn middle-distance prizes, and the last two runnings have provided just that. Calandagan, the 2024 Juddmonte International (G1) and Champion (G1) stakes runner-up, won last year, while 2023 Champion Stakes scorer King of Steel beat the St. Leger Stakes (G1) winner Continuous in 2023.
This year's race has a similar feeling to 12 months ago, as there is a lack of classic form. Green Storm and Nightwalker, the two who ran in the Derby, finished seventh and 13th. The former didn't convince on the stamina front and may want slower ground, but the latter is interesting.
He never looked happy at Epsom, just as had been the case at the undulating Newmarket Racecourse previously, but this flatter track and quicker ground will be more suitable and his pedigree gives cause for optimism that he'll stay as he is by Frankel out of a half sister to 2019 St. Leger winner Logician.
The Dante Stakes (G2) form took a huge knock in the Derby, though, which is a cause of concern for Nightwalker (fifth) and Wimbledon Hawkeye (third).
Puppet Master stayed the trip well when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes, pulling clear of subsequent Epsom eighth Nightime Dancer, and has seemingly missed Epsom in favor of this, which could be a hint.
However, Amiloc and Zahrann are the most exciting. The former found plenty in the straight to remain unbeaten in four starts on his most recent appearance and should be suited by the extra furlong, while the latter still looked green when coming from last to first in a listed contest last time.
The race originally known as the "Ascot Derby" has one key difference to the real thing—it allows geldings to take part, an opportunity the gelded Calandagan grabbed last year. Amiloc could become the new Calandagan and make this season even more memorable for Vimy Aykroyd, the owner/breeder with just four mares at her stud in Yorkshire and who has two high-class 3-year-olds racing for her.
The Irish Derby (G1) beckons for her Dante winner Pride of Arras, who finished down the field in the Derby, but Amiloc, her gelding who was ineligible for Epsom, has shown form nearly as good and is unbeaten in four races.
Asked about the fact Amiloc is no longer a colt, Aykroyd said: "He was gelded almost before he went into training. When he was broken in somebody said 'you should geld him and put him away, he might make a nice bumper horse!' They're eating their words now."
Nicole Stafford contributed to this story.
