Royal Ascot: Ouija Board has raced from Japan to Hong Kong to Texas but England's star mare has never looked to fit in better than when landing yesterday's Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
In front of royalty, and carrying Lord Derby's famous black colours, Ouija Board threw in a magisterial performance that ultimately was as convincing as it was surprising.
After all, the drop back to a mile and a quarter against proven 10 furlong specialists like David Junior and Electrocutionist had been enough for many to dismiss the former dual-Oaks winner's appearance as a sentimental gesture to the new Ascot. But Olivier Peslier had other ideas.
With his great friend Frankie Dettori hoping to pinch the race from the front on Electrocutionist, Peslier looked to have an impossible task on the turn-in. Instead it was the favourite David Junior who faltered as Ouija Board powered up the straight to win by half a length with Manduro third. The Irish hope Ace was last of the seven.
"It took a little time but I knew she would pick up even though they did not go very fast early in the race," said Peslier who had been only fourth choice to ride Ouija Board after Messrs Fallon, Dettori and Soumillon were all claimed.
Paddy Power have slashed Ouija Board's odds to 10 to 1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe although whether she goes there might be left to the owner rather than trainer Ed Dunlop.
"I wanted to run in the Hardwicke instead so the owner is right again!" grinned Dunlop. "She probably didn't quite stay behind Shirocco in the Coronation Cup but I knew she would quicken here. It's probably the best run of her life."
Electrocutionist pleased the Godolphin team and could now take in the Eclipse at Sandown.
Another star older mare to hit the mark was Soviet Song who won at the Royal meeting on the fourth attempt in the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes.
David Wachman's Luas Line was well backed to win for Ireland but she was overpowered by Soviet Song once Jamie Spencer unleashed the favourite outside the furlong pole.
"We were not convinced she was at 100 per cent, and the cold spring interrupted her preparation, but she looks back to her best," said James Fanshawe.
The Fanshawe-Spencer combination had a bumper day after Cesare secured a thrilling Royal Hunt Cup victory by pouncing late to beat the second topweight Stronghold by a neck. Spencer was patience itself as he followed his big rival through to tackle the leader Hinterland and timed his final challenge perfectly.
However, Spencer still has some way to go to overhaul Michael Kinane's Royal Ascot winner haul and the former Irish champion jockey secured the 38th win of his illustrious career at the Berkshire track as Jeremy ran from last to first to impressively land the Jersey Stakes. Owned by Betty Moran, Jeremy will be campaigned over a mile.
