The King Charles II Stakes: A Royal Stepping Stone
Right, let's get stuck into Friday's Listed feature at Newbury – the Pertemps Network King Charles II Stakes. Now, this isn't your bog-standard Friday afternoon affair, mind you. This Listed contest has been a proper launching pad for some serious talent over the years, and with £60,000 up for grabs, the connections are taking it seriously enough.
What we've got here is a select field of six three-year-olds, all carrying level weights bar the filly Ellusive Butterfly who gets her sex allowance. Good going on a track that's been fair to all runners this season, and over seven furlongs – a trip that separates the wheat from the chaff when it comes to genuine class.
The most telling aspect? Charlie Appleby has seen fit to send two from his Moulton Paddocks operation. When Godolphin's master tactician doubles up like this, you know there's serious prize money to be won.
The Godolphin Double Act: Cerro Blanco and Maximized
Let's start with the Appleby battalion, because when this fella sends two to a Listed race, one of them usually knows the way home. Cerro Blanco gets the nod from Billy Loughnane and comes here as both a course and distance winner – always a tick in the right box at headquarters.
The fact he's unrated suggests he's lightly raced, which in Appleby terms usually means 'we've been waiting for the right opportunity.' The draw in stall five gives him options, and Loughnane's booking suggests this isn't just a fact-finding mission.
Maximized, meanwhile, gets Connor Planas in the plate and sports a rating of 98. That's decent enough form for a Listed contest, though you'd expect him to need to find a few pounds improvement to trouble the judge. The question is whether Appleby would bother running two unless he fancied both their chances.
The Danger: Stellar Sunrise Looks the Business
But here's where it gets interesting, because Stellar Sunrise rocks up with a rating of 103 and Oisin Murphy doing the steering. Now, when Murphy's in town for a Listed race on a Friday afternoon, you sit up and take notice.
Andrew Balding's colt is the highest-rated runner in the field, he's a proven distance winner, and that rating suggests he's been mixing it in some decent company already this season. The draw in stall two isn't ideal – you'd prefer to be a bit wider on this track – but Murphy's got the tactical nous to overcome that.
The form flags tell their own story too. This lad has already proven he can handle seven furlongs, and at this level of racing, proven ability often trumps potential.
The Supporting Cast: Don't Write Off the Outsiders
William Haggas sends Saber Strike with Tom Marquand aboard, and while he's unrated like Cerro Blanco, you don't book Marquand for a day out in the country. The wide draw in six could actually play to his advantage if they go a strong gallop.
Jel Pepper brings solid credentials with a 99 rating and both course and distance form in the locker. Hector Crouch takes the ride for Oliver Cole, and while he might not have the star quality of some here, he's proven at this level.
The filly Ellusive Butterfly gets the rail draw and the weight allowance, but that 96 rating suggests she'll need the race of her life to trouble this bunch. Still, fillies can improve in leaps and bounds, and Karl Burke knows how to get them ready.
The Verdict: Following the Form
Look, I'm all for a good story, and Appleby's double-handed raid has all the hallmarks of a well-planned coup. But sometimes in this game, you've got to follow the form book, and Stellar Sunrise brings the best credentials to the party.
That 103 rating didn't come from beating donkeys, and Murphy's presence suggests connections are confident he can handle this company. The good going will suit, seven furlongs is his optimum trip, and Balding's horses have been in fine fettle of late.
I'll take Stellar Sunrise to justify favoritism, with Cerro Blanco the most likely danger if Appleby's got this one plotted up. But sometimes, class tells, and this lad looks a cut above on the ratings.
Who is the favourite for the King Charles II Stakes?
Based on the ratings and jockey bookings, Stellar Sunrise looks likely to start favorite. His 103 rating is the highest in the field, and Oisin Murphy's presence suggests serious intent from the Balding team.
What impact will the draw have on the King Charles II Stakes?
The draw could be crucial over seven furlongs at Newbury. Stellar Sunrise's low draw in stall two isn't ideal, while Saber Strike's wide berth in six could prove advantageous if they go a strong pace. The rail draw gives Ellusive Butterfly early position but she'll need to use it wisely.
Can Charlie Appleby's double-handed attack pay off?
Appleby's decision to run both Cerro Blanco and Maximized suggests confidence, but it's a double-edged sword. While it increases his chances of winning, it also suggests neither is a standout. Cerro Blanco looks the pick of the pair with his course and distance form, but both face a tough task against the higher-rated Stellar Sunrise.
