Golden chance for Star Witness

Only continuing rain stands in the way of a Golden Jubilee Stakes tilt for Star Witness at Royal Ascot tonight.

Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien said Star Witness, a luckless second in the 1000m King's Stand Stakes on day one of the meeting, had thrived since that run.

"I'm really pleased with how he was this morning," said O'Brien.

"He was good the day after the race and he's even brighter now.

"He'll be there on Saturday unless the weather gets really grubby."

Star Witness, who will face 16 rivals, is the 9-2 second favourite behind Delegator, who ran second to Sea The Stars in the English 2000 Guineas in 2009.

But Godolphin has warned Delegator, the 4-1 favourite, will run only if the going is not too soft.

Before the start of the five-day royal meeting, trainer Saeed bin Suroor said Delegator was his best chance at the meeting.

The five-year-old, an impressive winner of the 1200m Duke Of York Stakes at York last month, will be ridden tonight by teenage Derby winner Mickael Barzalona, who substitutes for the suspended Frankie Dettori.

Australia's other entry in the Group 1 feature Hinchinbrook has been retired after injury ruled him out of the 1200m Golden Jubilee.

The three-year-old will stand at Yarraman Park Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley.

Story by Leo Schlink, to view full story on Herald Sun website click here

Photo by Steve Cargill