James Doyle is set to step into the saddle aboard Irish Derby runner-up Sunway in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot this Saturday, a race you can watch live on Sky Sports Racing.
Hailing from the yard of Group One winner in last season’s Criterium International, David Menuisier, Sunway impressed in his recent run at the Curragh, finishing closely behind Los Angeles. Oisin Murphy, the retained rider for part-owners Qatar Racing, has piloted the son of Galiway in all of his eight career starts so far. However, with Murphy scheduled to ride John and Thady Gosden’s Qatar-owned Middle Earth in the upcoming Group One feature, Doyle will be taking the reins of Sunway.
“James Doyle is going to ride,” Menuisier confirmed. “He won’t need any riding instructions – he knows his way around!”
Currently priced at 10-1 with William Hill, Sunway faces stiff competition in a field that includes top-class filly Bluestocking (now at 5-1 odds) trained by Ralph Beckett and the favorite, Auguste Rodin at 5-4.
Menuisier understands the challenge ahead for his star colt as he faces older competitors for the first time. However, he remains optimistic and is prepared to take the risk.
“He had a stretch of the legs this morning and seems A1 and in very good form. Fingers crossed, all being well between now and then, he’ll go to Ascot,” he said. “The horse ran really well in Ireland and we know that if you’re a good three-year-old, getting 11lb in the King George is definitely a plus.”
“The opposition is strong, but we feel the horse is on the up and we feel he could improve with decent ground as well, so we ought to try really and take it from there.”
Whether Sunway can defy the odds and emerge victorious in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes remains to be seen, but with James Doyle in the saddle and David Menuisier’s confidence in the colt’s abilities, there is certainly hope for an exciting race at Ascot. Keep an eye on the action live on Sky Sports Racing to witness the drama unfold.
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