O’Brien pair on course for Coronation Stakes rematch

Aidan O’Brien’s Classic heroines True Love and Precise are the two big names among 10 confirmations for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

It was True Love that scooped 1000 Guineas glory at Newmarket last month, despite Precise being sent off favourite to add to the fine record she built up at two.

However, roles were reversed in the Irish equivalent a few weeks later, where Precise showed her true colours to deny True Love and claim a Guineas win of her own at the Curragh.

The two Ballydoyle contenders set a clear standard ahead of their third clash of the campaign, but hoping to bridge the gap is Owen Burrows, who expects Ascot to suit his filly Touleen much better than the undulations of the Rowley Mile after she finished a gallant sixth in the opening fillies’ Classic of the year from the wrong side of the track.

“She’s well and seems good and it’s all systems go for the Coronation,” said Burrows.

“We thought she had a good draw in the Guineas but it didn’t end up being that way as Karl Burke’s filly (Venetian Sun) didn’t stay and Precise didn’t run her race. We just got a bit stuck out there and Saffie (Osborne) had to move about and everything was happening away from her.

“I would like to think Ascot would suit her a lot better track-wise. The twice she has run at Newmarket she hasn’t handled the undulations the best so we’re hoping Ascot will prove better for her.

“She’s got four or five lengths to make up and I’m not saying she is going to win it, but I would be disappointed if she’s not making up a few lengths on them.”

Ed Walker’s Newmarket fourth The Prettiest Star remains in contention, although connections could be tempted to drop back to seven furlongs for next Saturday’s Jersey Stakes, while Sir Mark Prescott’s Moon Target was a smart juvenile and is an interesting name having not been seen yet this term.

The Irish hand is strengthened by Donnacha O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup scorer Balantina, while Paddy Twomey’s Irish 1,000 Guineas fourth Black Caviar Gold adds further spice to the mix.

The latter is owned by Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbreds Limited and their director Charlie Bond said: “Black Caviar Gold is in great form and we’re looking forward to next Friday.

“It was a big run in the Irish Guineas on ground conditions she wouldn’t really like and if there is a bit of rain around next week at Ascot it would be a boost.”

Charlie Johnston’s German 1000 Guineas winner Timeforshowcasing is one of two possible runners for owner Jaber Abdullah alongside Richard Hughes’ Rose Ghaiyyath, with Jack Channon’s Fred Darling winner Sukanya in line to be given the chance to bounce back from a below-par run at the Curragh.