Society Rock seeks second Diamond Jubilee as 18 are declared

Society Rock after his 2011 victory – can he make it two Diamond Jubilees on Saturday? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Society Rock looks to have a great chance on Saturday of emulating Right Boy in the 1950s by becoming the first horse since then to win the Diamond Jubilee Stakes twice.

His trainer, James Fanshawe, said in March that he was in the form of his life and that he was more impressive on the gallops than he had ever been before.

Although he was not at peak fitness when he made his seasonal debut at York in May, it was no surprise to see him win even though he was one of only two horses that had to carry a five pound weight penalty for winning a Group 1 race the previous season.

Since then he has continued to work brilliantly and as long as his issue with the starting stalls has been resolved – and Fanshawe is very hopeful that it has – he looks the one to beat.

He won this race in 2011, but last year lost several lengths when slow out of the stalls.

Without that, he may well have beaten Black Caviar and there’s nothing of her calibre in this field.

The vibes for Aussie challenger Sea Siren are not overly positive, the USA challenger, Havelock, does not appear to have strong enough form and the other international raider, Krypton Factor, finished a head behind Society Rock in this race last year despite the latter’s nightmare start.

One of several Irish raiders, Gordon Lord Byron has a length and a half to find with Society Rock on last month’s run at York.

He also carried a five pound penalty that day, but he was race fit and Society Rock will have come on more for that run.

Lethal Force was just a head behind Society Rock at York, but the latter will now be five pounds better off in the weights.

Maarek must always be feared at Ascot, but he would need a lot of rain to have a serious chance.

Much more of a threat could be Mince, who has disappointed so far this season but was not at peak fitness and she doubtless will be today. She has good place claims at least.

Godolphin’s Soul needs to rediscover his best form and more interesting are the three-year-olds, Rosdhu Queen and Zanetto.

The former was unbeaten last season and failed to stay seven furlongs in April while the latter is taking a huge step up in class but is clearly improving.

Eddie Lynam won the other Royal Ascot Series sprint, the King’s Stand Stakes on Tuesday with Sole Power, and he fields Slade Power in the same ownership on Saturday.

Slade Power has always been highly regarded in the stable and now he has reached four years of age, he should start to fulfil that promise.

He needed his comeback race last month, but ran a very close third and although this is a big step up in class, he may have place claims.

Favourites have a poor record in the race with only two winning in the last fifteen years.

That may not instil confidence in Society Rock, but both those wins came in the last three years so perhaps it’s a new dawn for the market leader.