Roger Varian has warned that Elmalka needs to raise her game to upset the Ballydoyle hegemony at Royal Ascot in today’s Coronation Stakes.
Elmalka impressed in winning the 1,000 Guineas last month in what was only the filly’s third start.
But she faces stiff opposition from the Aidan O’Brien-trained Opera Singer, who is expected to start the race as the clear favourite.
Emalka was a surprise Guineas winner with a starting price of 28-1 and Varian said the horse needed to surprise further still.
“Elmalka seems in great form,” he said. “She was entitled to be green in a big field like that, given it was only her third start and we’d have to think she’s still improving. It might be that she needs to if she’s to win again here, as all these fillies are progressing.
“It looks like we’re going to run into a race-fit Opera Singer, who ran very well in Ireland, so she’ll need to have come on a bit for her Guineas run and I think she has. She’s come into this week nicely and she looks a picture at home.
“She’s tactically versatile and straightforward. I hope she handles the faster ground conditions plus the track and the trip should suit her, so we’re very much looking forward to seeing her out again.”
