Karl Burke: I really do think she has the potential to be a special filly

Wednesday: 2.30 Royal Ascot
Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) | 5f | 2yo fillies | ITV/Sky

The Queen Mary has a typical feel to it as punters must weigh up the value of the British and Irish form compared to that of a once-raced Wesley Ward-trained favourite.

Love Reigns is perhaps the most exciting filly Ward has brought here in the last decade after a sensational near ten length, eased down victory at Keeneland and Racing Post Ratings back that up.

Her 100 debut figure exceeds that of Ward’s previous three winners in that timeframe, and indeed that of the US trainer’s three beaten favourites.

The question surrounding many of Ward’s speedy juveniles is whether they can truly see out Ascot’s stiff finish. Their gate speed is indisputable and purely on pedigree, Love Reigns should have no issues maintaining a relentless gallop.

She scored over five and a half furlongs and is a daughter of Dewhurst winner US Navy Flag whose dam has produced two 7f winners and a Grade 1 winner over 1m4f.

The fact Ward, who has won the Queen Mary four times as part of his eight juvenile victories at Royal Ascot, tends to leave something to work on with this meeting in mind means the rest could simply be playing for places. Stall five proved a winning draw in 2012 and Love Reigns can set her own fractions.

The only other filly with a treble-figure RPR is the Karl Burke-trained Dramatised, whose 101 at Newmarket was deeply impressive and just edges Love Reigns’ debut effort.

The Queen Mary often develops into two races and the fancied pair are drawn on different parts of the tracks, with Dramatised berthed on the stands’ side in stall 17.

Love Reigns will be tough to beat, but perhaps worthy of a speculative each-way wager is Olivia Maralda. One of five Amo Racing-owned fillies, Olivia Maralda bumped into perhaps the standout Irish juvenile filly this season in Statuette over 5½f at Navan and showed plenty of speed when dropping to second there.

That filly is favourite for the Albany on Friday and Olivia Maralda is well positioned to track Love Reigns from the same stall (one) Campanelle scored from in 2020.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ward and Burke in a battle of the bullish

Wesley Ward knows all about winning the Queen Mary Stakes and also all about talking up his chances. In his bid to claim the juvenile fillies' dash for the fifth time he has the favourite and is not surprisingly bullish. Remarkably, however, there is an opposing trainer who sounds even more confident.

Love Reigns wore the blinkers she sports here when making all to score on debut at Keeneland by nine and three-quarter lengths. That made her the obvious choice for a red-hot Queen Mary, yet it would be a brave punter who ignores what Karl Burke is saying about impressive Newmarket winner Dramatised.

Love Reigns attempts to give Wesley Ward a fifth win in the Queen MaryCredit: Goffs/Killourney Mor Farm

First though, Ward, successful in the race with Jealous Again, Acapulco, Lady Aurelia and Campanelle.

"What she did at Keeneland was unbelievable – and she has come out of her debut better than any two-year-old I've ever brought here," he said.

"Any time you have a filly who wins by nearly ten lengths, you're going to be confident next time. At this stage you couldn't say she's comparable to Lady Aurelia but she's on that path, for sure. In fact, if she only replicates her maiden performance she'll be tough to beat – and, realistically, she should have moved forward from that as well."

The problem for her could be Dramatised.

Burke, who also saddles York Listed second Yahsat, said: "You obviously have to respect any horse Wesley Ward brings to Ascot but I'll take my hat off to him if he can beat Dramatised – in fact, I might even give him my hat!

"I really do think Dramatised has the potential to be a special filly and very good indeed. She has huge potential. I haven't trained one as quick, but as well as the speed she stays very well.

"Yahsat is also very speedy. She ran a great race in the Marygate and is drawn near Wesley's filly, so she should get a good lead."

What they say

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of All The Time
She won extremely well at Nottingham and has continued in great form. I think she has a good chance of being in the frame.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Onmiqueen and Carmela
Omniqueen was very impressive here first time out and there's no substitute for good course form. She has to take a big step forward, but we have a nice draw and she seems to have come on a lot mentally and physically from her first run. Carmela is massively overpriced. She was very good first time out and her form from her Carlisle and Yarmouth wins keeps getting franked. She'll make her presence felt.

Florien Guyader, trainer of Funny Money Honey
In all her races she has bumped into one very talented horse, while at Angers we learned that five furlongs is her game. She showed plenty of quality in the Listed race last time out and Tom Marquand loved her.

David Marnane, trainer of Lady Tilbury
It's the strongest Queen Mary for a few years but I really do like my filly. I think she's improved again since Tipperary. Whatever happens, we've got a good filly on our hands.

Amy Murphy, trainer of Manhattan Jungle
I think she's very good and she goes there in great form. She hasn't come off the bridle yet and is definitely a genuine black-type filly – we're going to find out how good she is at Ascot.

David O'Meara, trainer of Maria Branwell
She's two from two and was very good in the National Stakes at Sandown. She overcame a lot to come out on top of Crispy Cat late on. I think that is strong form.

Maria Branwell beats Crispy Cat to win Sandown's National StakesCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Bell, trainer of Maylandsea
I think she's a proper Ascot two-year-old. She was impressive on her debut at Nottingham and did there what we expected her to do. I'm very hopeful of a good run.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Olivia Maralda
She's a talented filly and she was the fastest of the whole Craven Breeze-Up sale. Dropping back to five will suit her and she seems to be in very good form.

Richard Hughes, trainer of One More Olly
She's a talented filly and has a squeaky chance but it's the best Queen Mary I can remember and she could finish fifth or sixth and still have run a huge race.
Reporting by Lee Mottershead

Read more of Wednesday's Royal Ascot previews:

3.05 Royal Ascot: Can Nahanni recover from Derby horror show to give Appleby back-to-back wins?

3.40 Royal Ascot: Sir Michael Stoute has eyes on the prize as Bay Bridge faces toughest test yet

4.20 Royal Ascot: Will Mother Earth's course form prove decisive or is that too simple?

5.00 Royal Ascot: Trainer quotes and draw analysis for a red-hot Royal Hunt Cup

5.35 Royal Ascot: Are we dealing with a potential 'good thing' in the shape of Little Big Bear?

6.10 Royal Ascot: Could Royal Ascot's newest race break the rule for races over a mile?

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