Every June, thoroughbred tragics in this part of the world welcome insomnia as the biggest week on the British flat race calendar gets going at Ascot Racecourse, 40km west of London. Matt Smith, with some help from Otago Racing Club chief executive Andre Klein (a Royal Ascot veteran), explains why the racing world's eyes will be on the five-day carnival.
WHY DO WE CARE?
Royal Ascot has everything: 30 races over five days for more than £5.5 million ($NZ12.3 million) in prize money, including a host of group 1, group 2, group 3 and heritage handicap races.
From the undulating nature of the track to the sights and sounds going on off the racing surface, this is one of the great tests to find out if your horse is just a great at home, or a worldwide star.
WHICH HORSES ARE GOING?
They're descending on Royal Ascot from all over the globe this year.
The brilliant Able Friend has made his way over from Hong Kong for tonight's Queen Anne Stakes; the near-but-so-far Triple Crown hopeful from last year, California Chrome, is there (not that his trainer is happy about it) and even the Japanese industry is represented by a small but talented team including Spielberg and Super Moon.
WHAT'S THE AUSTRALASIAN INTEREST?
Once again, the Australian sprinters in particular will be a force to be reckoned with.
Shamal Wind will be the Australian representative in tonight's King's Stand Stakes after Brazen Beau's trainer, Chris Waller, decided to save his sprinter for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, in which the colt is already an early favourite.
Criterion - owned by Sir Owen Glenn of New Zealand Warriors fame - is set to take on California Chrome and others over 2012m on Wednesday night in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Last, but not least, our very own jockey, James McDonald, has five rides over the week.
CLOSER TO HOME?
The Eddie Lynam-trained Sole Power is shooting for three straight King's Stand Stakes tonight, former Melbourne Cup runners Brown Panther and Simenon are among the acceptors for the Gold Cup which clocks in about 4000m, while Forgotten Rules could be one to keep an eye on with a view to this year's Melbourne Cup.
John Gosden is one of the great trainers of British racing and is in form after winning the Epsom Derby this year, then teaming up with Frankie Dettori for a French Oaks win last weekend.
Look out for the two of them combining again over the week.
Perhaps if you like a challenge, try to find a winner in the Royal Hunt Cup tomorrow night which will likely have 30 runners going to the post and a $12 favourite is not out of the question.
HOW HAVE AUSSIES AND KIWIS FARED IN THE PAST?
Most of New Zealand's success in the past has come through horses bred - but not trained - here.
Seachange was a recent New Zealand-trained horse who made the trip over in 2008 but could only manage a 12th in the Golden Jubilee Stakes.
Naturally, Australian sprinters have more than competed in the same race (now named the Diamond Jubilee Stakes) with Choisir (2002) and Black Caviar (2012) topping the bill of their years.
Choisir also won the King's Stand Stakes in 2002 paving the way for wins by Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007) and Scenic Blast, while 2012 winner Little Bridge was bred in New Zealand.
Fellow Kiwi-bred So You Think was victorious in the Prince of Wales Stakes in the same year as Little Bridge.
WHAT'S WITH THE POMP AND CEREMONY?
Don't hate it - embrace it.
From the Queen and Prince Phillip arriving in horse and carriage (joined by New Zealand's Sir Peter Vela one year) to more top hats than you'd find at a Monopoly-playing-piece factory, Royal Ascot is an experience in dressing up in your finest finery, singing songs and drinking Pimm's.
The good news is Kiwi ingenuity can overcome any British stiff upper lips.
Three years ago, Roger Hampton, from Ikamatua on the West Coast, blagged his way into a restricted area at Royal Ascot and got his photo taken with Sir Henry Cecil.
No big deal, other than the fact it was just minutes before Sir Henry's star galloper, Frankel, went out and thrashed his rivals in the Queen Anne Stakes.
HOW TO WATCH
The first four races from each day will be shown live on Trackside 2. Full replays of the day, including races 5 and 6, will be as follows on Trackside 1. -
Day 1: Wednesday, 8pm.
Day 2: Thursday, 11pm.
Day 3: Saturday, 3am.
Day 4: Saturday, 8.30pm.
Day 5: Monday, 6.30pm.
