Saturday 14th October 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where it’s the second day of Newmarket’s Future Champions Festival, with the Cesarewitch taking centre-stage. I’ve got several selections throughout the afternoon including a couple of each-way picks in the big handicap itself. Please gamble responsibly if you are punting.
1.25: Autumn Stakes: We kick things off at 1:25 with the Group 3 Autumn Stakes which is contested over a mile. I’m siding with Arabic Legend in this who’s currently a 9/2 chance for Andrew Balding and Sean Levey. He opened his account in smart style on the July course here, before being beaten by the potentially very smart Arabian Crown in listed company back in August. That’s some of the best form on offer in this and if he progresses from that effort he should be considered as a serious player. Arabian Legend – 9/2 (Win)
2.00: Dewhurst Stakes: It’s Group 1 action at 2:00 in the form of the Dewhurst Stakes which is for the two-year-old’s over seven furlongs. Should City Of Troy take his place, he should win this, as he’s looked seriously impressive so far. However, he’s currently trading at around 8/15, therefore I’ve looked elsewhere for an each-way pick and I’ve come down on Array at 22/1 who’s another runner for Andrew Balding. He’s currently the mount of James Doyle and claimed the Group 2 Mill Reef Stake at Newbury on his last start, which came on heavy going. If some of them don’t fire here on the ground, he won’t have any issues and could well pick up the pieces. Array – 22/1 (Each-Way)
2.40: Cesarewitch Handicap: We move onto the big handicap of the day at 2:40 in the Cesarewitch Handicap which is contested over two miles and two furlongs and currently has thirty-four runners going to post. I’ve tried my hand with two picks, the first of which is Grand Providence at 11/1 for Hayley Turner and Andrew Balding, she won the trial here on her most recent outing and looks as though she’s got more to offer, as she took that contest cosily and has been an ultra-consistent filly. My other pick is Vino Victrix who’s the mount of Benoit De La Sayette and represents Hughie Morrison. He was second in the race last year off a two-pound higher mark and has been campaigned conservatively this season for another crack at this, if getting a bit of luck he’s every chance of going close again off this mark. Grand Providence – 11/1 (Each-Way) & Vino Victirx – 16/1 (Each-Way)
3.15: Zetland Stakes: It’s Group 3 action at 3:15 with the Zetland Stakes over a mile and two furlongs, and I think this is all about Arabian Crown who currently heads the betting at 6/5 for the Godolphin pair of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s looked seriously progressive so far in his short career, with his most recent success coming at Salisbury where took a listed contest in impressive style by over two lengths, getting the betting of Arabic Legend who I’d put up earlier on the card. The team was in the winner’s enclosure here on Friday and I think that this Dubawi colt presents them with another massive chance. Arabian Crown – 6/5 (Win)
3.50: Darley Stakes: My final selection of the afternoon comes up at 3:50 in the Group 3 Darley Stakes which is ridden over a mile and a furlongs. I’ve sided with Knight here who’s currently a 10/3 chance for the Crisford team and James Doyle. He arrives here having progressed with each run so far this season, with his most recent effort coming when he was narrowly denied by a head to Chindit within listed company at Sandown last month. He’s also got form on soft ground having won on heavy going at Newbury last year, and I just think he looks a very solid option here. Knight – 10/3 (Win)
