held up in rear, ridden and beaten 2f out
steadied rear, headway over 2f out, not quicken 2f out, no impression, weakened final furlong
led from 1f, tracked winner to just inside final 2f, soon one pace under pressure
tracked leaders, hard driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, outpaced and no impression final 2f
held up, steady headway to chase winner iniside final 2f, soon outpaced and no chance, but kept on well for 2nd
led after 1f, quickened 2f out, soon clear, ran on strongly
injured in stall and withdrawn
A fascinating Lockinge Stakes can go to Elvstroem, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Rakti, Autumn Glory and Grand Emporium. The five-time Group 1-winning Australian raider, Elvstroem, adds great intrigue to this contest and, judged on his Dubai Group One win in March, looks capable of playing a part in a slightly disappointing turnout for this prestigious Group 1 race. Rakti is a huge talent on his day, as he proved when winning last season's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot. A repeat of that type of effort places him high on the list of possible winners. The South African Group 1 winner Grand Emporium is also respected, a similar comment applying to La Vie dei Colori, certainly based on his Sussex Stakes third last year, and Hurricane Alan has looked an improved performer this season but might not be up to landing a Group 1 of this nature. Mac Love has a bit to find to score, but Autumn Glory has done little wrong in two starts this season and, with the form of his Doncaster win having been franked, he gets plenty of respect today. Babodana is progressing but looks held by Autumn Glory based on Hurricane Alan form, although Autumn Glory seems better on going that has some ease in it, although you could say the same about Babodana. The quirky but talented Antonius Pius is capable of going well, although he was a long way behind Rakti at Ascot last September, while Arakan will be all the better for his seasonal return but, overall, he has a few pounds to find on his best form to win today. Finally, Tarfah is progressing nicely but this is a step up on what she has so far achieved. So, once again, for the winner, we return to Elvstroem.
Antonius Pius (USA) (8-13) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 3l behind Firebreak (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m Grp 1 gf in Dec.
Arakan (USA) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked winner on outer, led narrowly over 1f out, headed and no extra final furlong, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Horeion Directa (9-5) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
Elvstroem (AUS) (9-0) 9th of 13, 6l behind Vengeance Of Rain (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m 2f Grp 1 gf in Apr.
Grand Emporium (SAF) 11-4fav (9-0) Quickly away; held up; tracked leader; 2nd & ridden straight; led 400m out; driven out, won at Nad Al Sheba 1m Grp 2 std in Mar beating Qais (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Hurricane Alan (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led narrowly just over 1f out, stayed on well final half furlong, won at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gs in Apr beating Brunel (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Le Vie Dei Colori 6-4fav (8-12) In touch, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Leicester 7f lst stk (1) gs in Apr beating Cape Fear (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Mac Love 9-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, in touch over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, unable to challenge, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Horeion Directa (9-5) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
Rakti (9-0) Pulled very hard in rear, one pace when impeded final furlong, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Alexander Goldrun (8-7) at Sha Tin 1m 2f Grp 1 gf in Dec.
Tarfah (USA) 9-4 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, led close home, won at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf beating Summitville (8-9) by a nk, 9 ran.
Autumn Glory (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Martillo (9-1) at Saint-Cloud, 1m Group 2 Gd-sft in May.
Babodana 20-1 (9-0) Prominent, chased leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Hurricane Alan (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gs in Apr.
