TEAM Hayes will be hoping Frankie Dettori's hot form at the Royal Ascot carnival can continue with Redkirk Warrior in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
Dettori, who notched his 60th Royal Ascot winner this week, will ride Redkirk Warrior in the feature sprint on Day Five. The gelding hasn't raced since winning the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap on March 10, but he has an excellent first-up record and is a strong contender.
The Diamond Jubilee will jump at 1.20am (AEST), Sunday.
Godolphin four-year-old Harry Angel heads the betting ahead of Redkirk Warrior and former Aussie sprinter Merchant Navy. Harry Angel and Redkirk Warrior could clash again in The Everest, the world's richest turf race, at Royal Randwick on October 13.
Sky Racing's international presenter Richard Wade will host a showcase coverage of Day Five on Sky Thoroughbred Central (Ch 528), with Lizzie Jelfs trackside. The first race is at 11.30pm (AEST) and the sixth and final race of the day is at 2.35am.
Here are Wade's thoughts and best bet for the day.
We've been waiting for this all week. Redkirk Warrior for Australia and Merchant Navy take on the best of the British in Harry Angel. The Irish-trained Merchant Navy just shades it for me.
This race can produce a Melbourne Cup hope. Going with the classy Crystal Ocean who could prove a cut above for the in-form Sir Michael Stoute.
Thomas Hobson won the Ascot Stakes and was second in this last year. He was a running on sixth in the Melbourne Cup and this is his first run since. There's little depth to the race.