Disappointment as Animal Kingdom hype amounts to little as he flops at Royal Ascot
by:Leo Schlink in London - From:Herald Sun
- June 19, 2013 6:50am
Alice Claphan prepares Animal Kingdom in his stall before his disappointing performance on day one at the Royal Ascot.Source: Getty Images
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, with Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, walk in the parade ring on arrival.Source: AP
ANIMAL Kingdom is likely to be retired immediately after John Messara’s Royal Ascot dreams were left in tatters after the Kentucky Derby winner beat only two runners home in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m).
Sent out a $2.10 favourite after victory in March’s Dubai World Cup, Animal Kingdom merely plodded when the pressure was piled on late in the race to finish 11th.
Shame as Aussie fades
Former French galloper Declaration Of War upstaged Animal Kingdom, beating Aljamaaheer and Gregorian.
Animal Kingdom’s trainer Graham Motion strongly hinted Animal Kingdom would now be retired to stud.
“I would say that is probably it for the horse,” Motion said.
“I am sorry it didn’t work out – it is disappointing for everyone.
“It would have been great to see him do his stuff but he clearly didn’t today.
“I think the draw (13) made it very awkward for him to be honest.
“It became a very awkward post and I think that it is what probably hurt Animal Kingdom the most.
“I don’t want to offer too many excuses.
“I am sorry it has ended this way. We are deflated.
“A lot of effort has gone into this, but that’s racing.”
Jockey Johnny Velaquez said Animal Kingdom had little to offer as far as 800m out.
“He just didn’t have it at all today,” he said.
Trained by Irish wizard Aidan O’Brien and ridden by his son Joseph, Declaration Of War shattered Australian hopes of a triumphant start to the Royal meeting.
Animal Kingdom, the first Kentucky Derby winner to contest the Royal meeting since triple crown winner Omaha in 1935, is now likely to be retired immediately to stud.
Owner and breeder of Australian stars Miss Finland, Snitzel and Flying Spur, Messara has savoured a host of Group 1 successes at home and has long coveted Royal Ascot glory.
He will have to wait for another opportunity.
Watched by the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla, Animal Kingdom was expected to ignite the Royal meeting after a minute’s silence was held to honour revered trainer Sir Henry Cecil.
Cecil, who has a record 75 Royal Ascot wins, died last week after battling stomach cancer.
Cecil’s most spectacular Royal Ascot winner was unbeaten Frankel, who romped to an unforgettable 11-length win in last season’s Queen Anne Stakes.
The poignant ceremony provided a fitting backdrop to start the Royal meeting – but it was the English bookmakers who were left with most to celebrate.
After pulling his way into fourth place, Animal Kingdom offered nothing over the final 400m.
Animal Kingdom will stand at Messara’s Arrowfield Stud.
Trade Storm, one of 20 international invitees October’s WS Cox Plate, finished fifth after challenging strongly up the steep finishing rise despite being slowly away.
His trainer David Simcock is keen to tackle Australia’s weight-for-age championship.
ROYAL PROCESSION
The Royal Procession passes along the Straight Mile on the opening day at Ascot racecourse. Source: Getty Images
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