Precise, True Love Clash Again in Coronation

The market is omniscient, they say. Well that hasn't been the case in the first two meetings between True Love (IRE) and Precise (IRE). In fact, it has been the opposite with the betting getting it wrong on both occasions. Will punters be on the right one in this third, and potentially final, rubber match in the June 19 Coronation Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse? Talk was rife about Precise having had an interrupted preparation for the One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket Racecourse, but that didn't stop her price collapsing. Punters simply couldn't get enough of her and she went off the 9-5 favorite only to run as though she wasn't right, finishing just seventh. True Love took full advantage and won well at 5-1, which led to a complete role reversal in the rematch for the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1). Ryan Moore, who had partnered Precise at Newmarket, switched allegiance and that meant his mount went off the 4-6 favorite. However, Precise turned the tables on her stablemate and there were 2 1/2 lengths between them at the line. That day, they finished first and second, both appearing to have 'no excuses,' and Precise was just as impressive as True Love had been at Newmarket. So what happens next, and can Moore, and the market, call it right here? Moore is back on Precise this time, but it's the "no excuses" part of the argument that one has to think he is definitely on the right one now. True Love came into the Curragh race on the back of a big career best and at her peak, but Precise beat her so easily it's not difficult to conclude there was a reason for her Newmarket performance. The rumors about an interrupted prep were right. Let's hope she can prove that is the case because on all of her other runs, bar her debut, Precise has looked a superstar and her form stacks up. She hasn't only beaten True Love, she has seen off other classy fillies such as Venetian Sun (IRE), Venetian Lace (IRE), and Legacy Link (GB). Should Precise win decisively, that will end the argument, but it might start another one over where she ranks in comparison to the yard's other star filly Diamond Necklace (IRE). It's crazy that she could settle the score with True Love and still not be the best 3-year-old filly at Ballydoyle but, such is the strength in depth at Aidan O'Brien's yard, that's the reality. While the Coronation Stakes was not plan A for Precise—that had been the Epsom Oaks (G1) before the rain poured down at Epsom and Amelia Earhart (IRE) became the chosen one for O'Brien—she improved hugely for her comeback at Newmarket to defeat True Love at the Curragh. The trainer said: "With the way the ground went at Epsom, we didn't think running Precise in the Oaks was the right thing to do for her. Once she missed the Oaks, it was always the plan to stick to a mile for the Coronation. She was very good in the Irish Guineas and everything has been good with her since. "We're happy with True Love and we thought it would be better for her to stick to the mile against the fillies. She's done well since the Curragh." The biggest danger to the two Ballydoyle runners could be the Owen Burrows-trained Touleen (GB), who finished fifth at Newmarket. Burrows said: "She's got a few lengths to find on her One Thousand Guineas run, but I'm happy with where she is at the moment. She seems to have taken a step forward and hopefully the track will suit her better than Newmarket." Another intriguing runner is Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) heroine Balantina (IRE), who will make her first start since her heroics in October at Del Mar. Trained by Donnacha O'Brien, who won this in 2024 with Porta Fortuna (IRE), the Ten Sovereigns (IRE) filly ran a cracker at this meeting last year when third in the Albany Stakes (G3) and loves fast ground. Donnacha O'Brien reports her in good order, but expects her to improve plenty from her first outing. He said: "She's been off the track a good while, but she's in good form. We think she will improve for the run fitness-wise. Whatever she does, she'll take a big step forward, but she's in a good place physically and we're looking forward to getting her started."