Joliestar and Overpass face global competition in Jubilee Stakes
The final field for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, a straight-track sprint, has been finalised at 19 runners. Overpass has been accepted after his determined third place behind Mission Central in the King Charles III Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot.
Trainer Bjorn Baker reported Overpass has come through his Tuesday run in excellent condition, and he believes the seven-year-old gelding will find the 1200 metres of Saturday's sprint to his liking.
Joliestar, the long-time favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, has drawn barrier nine, with Overpass set to start from gate seven.
The straight course has generally favoured sprinters running along the grandstand side, although with warm weather anticipated over the next two days, there is a possibility the track surface will even out.
The middle draws for Joliestar (jockey James McDonald) and Overpass (Josh Parr) offer their riders the chance to position themselves in the most favourable part of the track.
Joliestar remains the 9/4 ($3.25) favourite with English bookmakers, ahead of the Japanese challenger Satono Reve at 5/1, and the William Haggas-trained Lake Forest at 10/1. Overpass is currently available at 20/1 for Saturday's race.
Satono Reve, a two-time Group 1 winner in his homeland, also produced a very good and somewhat unlucky second to Lazzat in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last year.
Both Joliestar and Satono Reve possess form lines that include the world's best sprinter, Hong Kong's superstar Ka Ying Rising.
Joliestar was beaten just under two lengths when finishing fifth to Ka Ying Rising in The Everest in Sydney last spring.
Satono Reve has twice claimed second place behind Ka Ying Rising in the Hong Kong Chairman's Sprint Prizes, first in 2025 and again earlier this year.
Lake Forest is a familiar name to Australian racing fans following his brilliant victory in the Golden Eagle two years ago.
Haggas sent Lake Forest back to Sydney for The Everest last spring, but the horse failed to perform, finishing last at Randwick before a seventh in the Champions Mile at Flemington behind Ceolwulf.
Lake Forest appears to have returned to his best form following an outstanding win by more than five lengths at Haydock last month.
Cieron Fallon, who rode Lake Forest to victory in the Golden Eagle, is booked for the mount on Saturday, while Tom Marquand is confirmed for stablemate Almeraq, who is priced at 25/1.
Check out the latest racing odds and betting markets at your preferred online bookmakers.
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