Racing: Odds shorten on Star Witness

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What a second placing by Star Witness in the King's Stand on opening day at Royal Ascot.

With any luck at all the handsome Australian sprinter would have won easily.

Uncharacteristically, Star Witness was slow to jump from the barriers, which almost certainly cost him the race. He was essentially last early in the big field, which was stretched almost the entire width of the track.

Star Witness and Steven Arnold started making a run from the back at the 400m and the pair were relentless late, going down by a neck to Prohibit and local rider Jim Crowly.

No surprise that bookmakers reacted instantly to drop Star Witness from 7 to 1 to 4 to 1 for Saturday's 1200m second sprint feature.

The 1200m will clearly suit better than the 1010m of the King's Stand.

Prohibit is one he won't have to contend with again.

"He can't go a yard past five furlongs [1000m]," said trainer Robert Cowell.