Godolphin have confirmed that their high-class middle distance performer Rewilding will take on the mighty Australian-born superstar So You Think in Wednesday's mouth-watering Group 1 Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot, writes Elliot Slater.
Frankie Dettori will be aboard the four-year-old who was last seen in action when putting up a sparkling performance to land the near £2 million winner's prize in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in late-March. The Tiger Hill colt's easy win over the smart Barry Hills-trained Redwood was a particularly impressive effort and laid to rest a disappointing performance on his previous outing when sent off an Evens favourite for the St Leger at Doncaster last September where he finished only sixth behind John Gosden's Arctic Cosmos. He'll no doubt attract more than one Ascot free bet as the result of his sterling work in Dubai.
Despite the frightening presence of the likely odds-on shot So You Think, Simon Crisford, speaking on behalf of Godolphin, suggested that connections are expecting Rewilding to give a very good account of himself and report him to have pleased all concerned in recent training gallops. Rewilding, third in last year's Epsom Derby behind Workforce, is currently on offer at a tempting 14/1 behind the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite who is generally a 1/2 chance. Anyone looking for each-way 2011 Royal Ascot tips could do worse than following Rewilding.
So You Think, winner of both his starts in Ireland since joining O'Brien during the winter after an astounding four Group 1 wins in his native Australia last season, oozed class when easily accounting for good opposition in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh last month, coasting to a four-and-a-half length victory over Rewilding's stable companion Campanologist in the manner of a horse who might very well prove hard to beat even at the highest level in Europe this season.
Other possible main contenders for the Prince of Wales stakes include smart French colt Planteur, and Henry Cecil's dual Champion Stakes winner Twice Over.