steady start, held up rear, ridden over 2f out, no progress
close up on outside, ridden over 2f out and hung right, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out and soon onepaced
held up rear, ridden 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, pulled wide entering straight, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led at steady pace, quickened over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
steady start, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and eased final furlong
tracked leaders and took keen hold, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
held up behind, headway on outside well over 1f out, chased winner and hung right inside final furlong, kept on well but always held
On all known form there can only be one winner here, with Russian Rhythm head and shoulders above her rivals, the best of whom should be Cassis, with Soviet Song also entitled to respect for a place. Sir Michael Stoute has a tremendous record in the Coronation Stakes, having won it three times with fillies who have contested the 1,000 Guineas, Sonic Lady, Milligram and, more recently Exclusive. The interesting point is that all three could only manage a place at Newmarket, whereas Russian Rhythm will line up chasing a notable double. You could argue that she was a lucky winner at headquarters due to the dubious ride given to Six Perfections, but the form has stood up well, with the first three home in the Oaks all previously behind Stoute's star. As her only defeat came against the flying Airwave in the Cheveley Park, she rates banker material over this trip, and if reports of her recent homework are correct, she should win easily. To ensure a good pace, Fantasize will be employed as a pacemaker here in a bid to burn off the selection's rivals, but Soviet Song has not been burning the gallops up en-route to a rematch and a place is her best hope. It would be unwise to write odd Cassis for a place as she showed a smart turn of foot when coming from last to first in the Musidora. As long as the pace is quick here, she should make a bold show. The German raider Diacada won her country's 1,000 Guineas but the form is a bit below that required to win this and Russian Rhythm is a confident choice.
