RACING/Royal Ascot: Dermot Weld yesterday repeated his belief that if Vinnie Roe stays the trip in the Ascot Gold Cup he will win.
The Curragh trainer made the statement originally after the dual St Leger winner made a successful comeback at Leopardstown last month. The only complication that has arisen since is the chance of very fast going. "I would not like it too firm. He doesn't like extremes of ground. But I don't think it will be too fast," Weld said.
As for the stamina question, Weld has taken note of a piece of advice from a former Gold Cup expert. "Lester Piggott told me that very few thoroughbreds actually truly get two and a half miles. But we're hopeful Vinnie Roe will be one of those. That's why we're here.
"He has been in super from since he won the Saval Beg and now it's a question of him staying. If he does, he will win," added Weld. The Curragh trainer runs the Naas maiden winner Irresistible Jewel in the Ribblesdale alongside two other Irish trained fillies, Starbourne and Zafaraniya.
The newly titled Hampton Court Stakes is a rare Listed event at Royal Ascot and Weld could have the dark horse in the shape of the unbeaten Jazz Beat. "It's a step up and he is in at the deep end but I expect a good run from him."
Aidan O'Brien's best chance of a third Ascot winner looks to come in the Norfolk Stakes. He runs the unbeaten pair Irrawaddy and Marino Marini and the latter looks the answer. He won on the soft in the Marble Hill at the Curragh but is bred to relish the faster conditions. John Murtagh won the Ribblesdale at big odds on Sahara Slew two years ago and Zafaraniya has been trained with this race in mind for some time.
SELECTIONS: 2.30 - Zafaraniya; 3.05 - Marino Marini; 3.45- Vinnie Roe; 4.20 - Highest; 4.55- Jazz Beat; 5.30 - Green Line.
