France ruled once more in the Coronation Stakes as Qemah bagged the big race on day four at Royal Ascot for Jean-Claude Rouget, who also won the race last year with Ervedya. There was frustration for followers of Alice Springs, who flew home to be third after a nightmare run under Ryan Moore.
Both those horses were settled at the rear through the first half of the race but, while Alice Springs stuck to the inside rail at the turn for home and ran into a wall of horses, Qemah swung wide and got a clear run. Gregory Benoist drove her confidently out to the line, where she had a length and three-quarters in hand over Nemoralia, who will surely do better when returned to a fast surface.
“I was very confident after the French Guineas,” said Rouget. “She’s a top-class filly. I’d love to get some more wins here. For me, it’s the best racing in the world, Ascot.”
Alice Springs was eventually switched out wide, met more trouble and was last with a furlong and a half to go, but sprang forward to pass 10 rivals in the final 300 yards. Tanaza also met repeated trouble in the middle of the pack and was eased down.
Jet Setting, sold at auction for £1.3m on Monday evening, cut out the early running but faded into sixth in the straight. While conditions appeared sure to suit her at the start of the week after several days of rain, the track dried out in the 36 hours before this race, against the interests of the Irish Guineas winner.
Earlier, the former jump jockey Dougie Costello achieved easily the most valuable success of his career when landing the Commonwealth Cup aboard Quiet Reflection. The filly was also providing her trainer, Karl Burke, with a first success in a British Group One.
