Poetic Flare St James’s Palace Stakes (G1)
June 14, 2021
Poetic Flare remains the one to beat in the three-year-old mile division.
His stable companion Mac Swiney got the better of him by a short head in the Irish 2000 Guineas upholding the opinion of his trainer Jim Bolger that the two were the best three-year-old milers around this year. Mac Swiney went onto the Derby running fourth in a run that might just have come too soon after the Curragh victory two weeks earlier.
It’s surprising the market doesn’t rate him a stronger favourite given he’s won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and was just touched off at the Curragh. In between, he was boxed in by Sealiway in the French 2000 Guineas, not getting a clear run, he was still only beaten 2¼L by St Mark’s Basilica who’s since gone on to win the French Derby with the Sealiway (behind Poetic Flare in the French 2000 Guineas) running second.
The others here will hope to run better than they did at Newmarket or the Curragh however it’s hard to make cases for them. Lucky Vega, Chindit, Battleground, Thunder Moon and Wembley were all beaten fair and square at Newmarket and at the Curragh Lucky Vega and La Barrossa were again behind.
Highland Avenue, Mostahdaf, Naamoos all will have to step up considerably on Listed win company to trouble him and it’s very difficult to see Maximal improving enough given he’s coming back in trip.
If Poetic Flare was trained at Ballydoyle he’d be a very short-priced favourite and with some bookmakers paying on the first four he’s the obvious candidate.
Recommendation
Poetic Flare 4/1 e/w (with a bookmaker paying the first four)
