SUPERSTAR mare Goldikova
put in another trademark performance to land a thrilling opener to Royal Ascot on Tuesday, quickening away from her rivals and then holding off the late challenge of Paco Boy by a neck.
In a Group 1 curtain-raiser that lived up to great expectations, the
two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner, sent off the 11-8 favourite, sat
behind a good pace set by Calming Influence and third favourite of the
'big three', Rip Van Winkle, kicking for home under Olivier Peslier
with about two furlongs to travel.
The pair stretched away to lead by around two lengths, but Lockinge
Stakes winner and secondfavourite Paco Boy emerged from the chasers
under Richard Hughes and mounted a sustained and steely attempt to reel
in the winner, failing only by a neck.
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