Queen's Plate 2015: Post Time, Post Positions, Schedule and More

The Queen’s Plate is the most prestigious chase in Canada for thoroughbred racehorses and with the post positions set for this year’s showpiece, anticipation is building ahead of the action getting underway at Woodbine Racetrack.

It’s also the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, with riders involved all preserving slender hopes of ending a 12-year drought since the last horse to win the Queen’s Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders Stakes back-to-back. That was Mike Keogh’s Wando back in 2003.

Here’s a look at how the field is shaping up for this one and a closer examination of a couple of horses with a brilliant chance of securing the $1 million winning prize after 10 furlongs of absorbing racing.

Post	Horse
1.	Shaman Ghost
2.	Oakton
3.	Ault
4.	Academic
5.	Billy's Star
6.	Sweet Grass Creek
7.	Danish Dynaformer
8.	Conquest Boogaloo
9.	Breaking Lucky
10.	Easy Indygo
11.	Portree
12.	Milwaukee Mist
13.	Bear At Last
14.	Ami's Flatter

Key Race Details

Event: 156th Running

Date: Sunday July 5, 2015

Horse Type: Three-Year-Olds foaled in Canada

Time: Approximately 5:38 p.m. (ET)

Distance: One mile and two furlongs (1 1/4 mile)

Location: Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, ON Canada

Stage Set for Gallop of the Guineas

Trainer Roger Attfield will be searching for a record ninth win in the Gallop for the Guineas and in Danish Dynaformer, he looks to have a wonderful chance.

The pre-race favourite is set to go off in Post 7 for this iconic chase, a spot which Attfield should be happy with. Danish Dynaformer’s chances were also given a boost by the news that Curling Curlinate, who was well fancied in the build-up to this event, has been withdrawn with an injury problem, per Keith McCalmont of Woodbine:

With a solid post position, the odds are likely to shorten even further on Danish Dynaformer as we edge ever closer to the event getting underway.

It’s easy to see why there is a lot of hype about Attfield’s horse, too. Danish Dynaformer raced to victory in a 14-strong field in the Plate Trial Stakes, which is often key when it comes to preparations for the prestigious Woodbine battle.

As we can see here courtesy of sports journalist Katie Lamb, he looks in fine form ahead of Saturday’s big race:

With no Curling Curlinate in the field, the closest challenger to the favourite is likely to come from Shaman Ghost, even though he’ll have to race from Post 1 to take victory. But as we can see here courtesy McCalmont, his trainer Brian Lynch wasn’t too disheartened by the unfavourable draw:

He’s been in brilliant form in the build-up to this one anyway, clinching three wins in succession. The most recent came back in May at the Marine Stakes, when Shaman Ghost made a stunning late surge to take victory.

Lynch, who has never trained a winner in the Gallop for the Guineas, just wants his contender to keep the momentum going, per WoodbineEntertainment.com:

"

Winning form is the best form and he’s won three in a row. He’s been doing everything well in those last three, really fighting to the wire in all of them.

I like the way he doesn’t give up. He just keeps on battling. Hopefully, he brings that same great fight with him to the Plate.

"

The unfavourable draw is likely to scupper any hopes of victory for Shaman Ghost, though. With 13 horses romping across the track toward the rail, it can be so easy for horse and jockey to get distracted; for Lynch, it’ll make for some uncomfortable viewing.

But it’s another factor falling in favour of Danish Dynaformer, who should have the class to take this coveted chase. Attfield knows exactly what’s required to win this races and with space to gallop into from the start, expect savvy jockey Patrick Husbands to position him perfectly before running away with a huge victory.