Goldikova Almost Ready to Return

I thoroughly expect Goldikova to have another banner season. If Freddie Head says she's looking as good as ever, you'd better take notice. That said, the one race I really believe Goldikova will be vulnerable in this year is the 2011 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal-Ascot. Richard Hannon will likely be sending Canford Cliffs this year. Which will set up one of the most anticipated turf mile races in many, many years. Hannon ran Paco Boy at Goldikova in the 2010 Queen Anne Stakes, and he came up a short nose short. Hannon ran both Paco Boy and Dick Turpin at Goldikova in the Prix De l' Foret over 7f at Longchamp, and again Goldikova beat Paco Boy a nose, with Dick Turpin 3rd beaten a half-length. But of Hannon's three brilliant milers in his stable in Paco Boy, Dick Turpin, and Canford Cliffs, he's always said Canford Cliffs has the fastest turn of foot of the three, and I believe him. Canford Cliffs has been a beast at Ascot himself. Destroying the Coventry Stakes field in 2009 as a 2yr.old. Then cantering easily by stablemate Dick Turpin to win the 2010 St James's Palace Stakes there as well. Canford Cliffs also ran down and cantered right on by Rip Van Winkle at Goodwood in the 2010 Sussex Stakes as well. This year's Queen Anne Stakes could really be one for the ages, IMO.