It’s the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes, and it’s the Epsom Derby one-two Auguste Rodin and King of Steel who have staged a duelling Betr wagering war.

With both swapping favouritism since betting opened, its the Epsom and Irish Derby hero Auguste Rodin who is the $3.40 Betr favourite for Saturday at Ascot over the traditional 1½ miles.

Again, in the hands of Ryan Moore for Aiden O’Brien, Auguste Rodin will carry 8-12lb in meeting 9 older horses in a 11 field and will jump from Gate 3, carrying the blue and orange silks.

Originally rated 122 on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for winning the Epsom Derby, he has maintained that rating on winning the Irish Derby by 1½ lengths from Adelaide River.

However, with Auguste Rodin having to produce a ‘true classic performance’ in defeating King of Steel by a ½ lengths in the Epsom Derby, it was King of Steel who was awarded a 120 WBR Ranking.

In proving he’s ‘Derby class,’ King of King next took out the ‘Ascot Derby,’ the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot with a commanding 3½ length victory to maintain his 120 World’s Best Ranking.

In comparing both 3yo’s, Auguste Rodin is true to Coolmore-form having taken out the Futurity Stakes at two, being a double Derby winner, and is now on-course for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Bred by Coolmore, he’s by Japan’s champion sire Deep Impact and the first foal of triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron, a full- sister to the duel Irish Champion Stakes winner Magical, by Galileo.

In contrast the ‘giant-size’ King of Steel won his first start as a late 2yo over 1mile, and following an eight-month spell contested the Derby first-up for new trainer Roger Varian of Newmarket.

To be again ridden by Kevin Stott, King of Steel is at S4.80 carrying 8-12lb and drawing 3 for owner Amo Racing who purchased him for $200,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Bred by Bonne Chance Farm Kentucky, he’s by champion French sire Wootton Bassett from the winning Verglas mare Eldacar, bought for Haras Bonne Chance by France Turf International.

It’s a highlight that the Owen Burrows trained 6yo gelding Hukum has firmed into $4.40 following his Brigadier Gerard Stakes victory, while Emily Upjohn is at $5.50, and a 121 WBR Ranking.

Last year’s winner Pyledriver is at $7.50 having won the Hardwicke Stakes, and the 2022 Irish Derby victor Westover is $15 having won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud for trainer Ralph Beckett.

In rounding out the July issue of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, its again the domination of Japan and Hong Kong that have overruled the season’s traditional NH Classics.

However, its Shadwell’s 5yo gelding Mostahdaf who is placed second, rising from 121 to 128 for his four length victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and is now the World’s Best 10f Racehorse.

The 2022 Japan Horse of The Year in Equinox still holds his Longines World’s Best Racehorse Ranking of 129 from the March issue on winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic 2410m on turf.

Again, ridden by French expatriate Christophe Lemaire for Miho based Tetsuka Kimura, he came from near last to take out the Takarazuka Kinen in June, and will he be heading for the Japan Cup.

Un-moved on 125 as the World’s Best Middle Distance performer Golden Sixty who last won the HK Champions Mile, while HK’s Lucky Sweynesse also retains his 125 as the World’s Best Sprinter.

The Irish 2000 Guineas winner Paddington is also rated 125 for Aiden O’Brien in last winning the Eclipse Stakes and St James’s Palace Stakes, while his Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Luxembourg 123.

Japan’s Titleholder retrains his 124 rating winning the Performer Nikkei Sho, with its 123 each for the Prix du Jockey-Club winner Ace Impact, the ‘Arc favourite, and Hong Kong trained Romantic Warrior.

The Longines World’s Best Jockey title is certainly close with three times champion Ryan Moore leading on 90 points, ahead Hong Kong based Australian Zac Purton on 86 and James Mc Donald 76.

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