Saturdays feature race is the Diamond Jubilee, a race that provided a heart-stopping finish last year as superstar Australian mare Black Caviar almost lost the race in the shadow of the post. In the aforementioned 2012 renewal of the Diamond Jubilee
Society Rock (7/2) might have been the one to take down Black Caviar had he not practically fallen out of the stalls and as good as blown any chance he had. He did exceptionally well to finish a 2 length fifth all things considered and he makes most appeal here twelve months on to atone for that unlucky run last year. Hes been successful twice at Group level since this race last year in the Sprint Cup (Group 1) and the Duke of York (Group 2) and has proved himself able to handle all sorts of ground. With many of his perceived leading challengers not declared this looks to be the easiest race hes contested in some time and he looks the one to be on. If the ground came up horrendous though, which now looks unlikely,
Maarek (16/1) could be a lively outsider at a price. That horse is very much ground dependent though and if it remains as quick as it has been he may not even line-up. Aussie raider
Sea Siren (8/1) is very much respected as she bids to become the second successive Australian mare to land the race given how well southern hemisphere sprinters tend to perform at Royal Ascot.
Gordon Lord Byron (6/1) has been a solid performer at the highest level over the last few years and doesnt have much to find with Society Rock on their Sprint Cup 1-2 last September. He was a Group 1 winner at Longchamp at the end of last season but for some reason hes just never excited me as much as he probably should, still thats no reason to put anyone off back him and he rates a big threat.
Mince (10/1) would have been a popular choice for this on her form last season but thus far as a four-year-old shes been very disappointing and will need to rediscover her 2012 form in a big way in to be competitive in this sort of company.
Hawkeyethenoo (14/1) always runs a good race and is all guts having come up through the handicapping ranks, although Ive always been a big fan of this horse in truth he probably just isnt good enough in this company.
Rosdhu Queen (16/1) is a former classic hope with bags of speed and
Zanetto (25/1) is another filly that could go well at a big price, while
Havelock (20/1) is an American raider that has the eye-catching jockey booking of one Frankie Dettori. Sprints are always difficult to nail down but in Society Rock you have a horse with course form that is a consistently top performer at this level and he rates as the most solid option in a cracking looking race.
Selection: Society Rock @ 7/2