Cecil: Expect a Pacemaker for Frankel at Ascot
- By A.J. Ryder on September 28, 2011 16:24 GMT
Sir Henry Cecil has confirmed that the undefeated Frankel will likely get a pacemaker for his next engagement – the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot next month. The Juddmonte yard have used a rabbit for Frankel on more than one occasion despite him preferring to make the pace himself from time to time.
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The lucky contender appears to be the speedy Bullet Train who is closely-related to Frankel and resides in the same barn. During training sessions, Bullet Train tends to work in tandem with the undefeated bay as it is, so the move will likely allow Tom Queally the luxury of picking his spot before deploying Frankel's trademark electrifying turn of foot.
Speaking to At The Races, Cecil declared “I don't want Frankel to lead all the way, hopefully there will be a decent pace and we don't need Bullet Train, but he is there to make sure it is a sensible pace for Frankel whatever the others do.”
Frankel's connections and his ante post backers have the luxury of Frankel's versatility. It doesn't really matter what type of ground he is facing as he has won on all sorts of going. Cecil voiced his preference for going slightly on the softer side.
Faster going will likely enhance Bullet Train's early speed and also take some of the other contenders out of the race.
Officials are expecting the group to be trimmed down as we get closer to the off with 13 still in the mix to challenge the undefeated colt. Immortal Verse, Dick Turpin and Excelebration are all expected to be the key contenders to challenge the breakout three-year-old star.
As it currently stands, Frankel can be backed across the board at 1/3 while Immortal Verse and Excelebration are the only other contender to trade at a single-digit price. Both horses can be backed anywhere from 9/2 to 7/1.
