Canford Cliffs, Makfi Set for QEII Rubber Match
A highlight of the Flat season and one of the feature race days of the Ascot calendar. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes is Europe’s top mile race and crowns the top miler in Europe. Also on the card are the Group One Fillies’ Mile and the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes, for the top two year old milers. It was on this day in 1996 that Frankie Dettori went through the card winning all seven races and creating history!
The best of the best take part in the QEII and this year will be no different. Bragging rights are on offer as the "Top European Miler" crown is up for grabs. Dubai Millennium, George Washington and Raven’s Pass all have their names etched into the history of this race. Last year’s victor, Rip Van Winkle, will surely be back to reclaim his crown and in doing so, could set up a mouth watering clash with Canford Cliffs. The winner of this race books his ticket to the Breeders Cup who have teamed up with tracks worldwide, including Ascot, to promote a ‘win and you’re in’ incentive.
The Fillies Mile is another race part of the Breeders Cup incentive as it aims to attract the best horses worldwide to America. Hibbayeb won the Group Two renewal last year before stamping her class in this year’s Ribblesdale.
The Royal Lodge will be the days third cracking race. This event has produced some smart middle distance performers in the past including Shirley Heights and Benny The Dip. There is every chance we may see another Derby winner or Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf champion, as the winner of this race could well go on to glory at Churchill Downs.
Also on the card is a quality Listed race, a competitive Listed handicap along with two top draw handicaps.