Saturday 12th October 2024
1.15 Newmarket: Space Blues Darley Stakes: I’ll be getting things underway on Saturday at Newmarket with the 1.15 which is the Group 3 Darley Stakes over a mile and a furlong. I think that this can go to Lead Artist who currently heads the betting for John & Thady Gosden who’s the mount of Kieran Shoemark. On his penultimate start, he was a Group 3 winner at Goodwood before finishing two lengths second to Kinross at Doncaster last time out in the Group 2 Park Stakes. That’s possibly the strongest form on offer here and I think he’s the one who has the most potential in the line-up. Lead Artist – 11/4 (Win)
1.50 Newmarket: Palace Pier Zetland Stakes: Next up is the 1.50 which is the Group 3 Zetland Stakes which is contested over a mile and two furlongs. I’m chancing Starzintheireyes in this for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. He takes a sizeable step-up in trip here, having won over seven furlongs at Leicester on his most recent outing which came last month. He seemed to look better the further he went on that occasion though and he does have stamina in his family. That victory also came on soft ground and he also finished second here in a hot maiden back in July, splitting Field Of Gold and Mount Kilimanjaro. Starzintheireyes – 10/3 (Win)
2.25 Newmarket: Emirates Autumn Stakes: The third race of the afternoon is the 2.25 which is more Group 3 action in the form of the Autumn Stakes over a mile. I’m strong on the chance of Delacroix here for the all-conquering team of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s progressed with each run to date with his most recent effort coming when finishing half of a length second in the Group 2 Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown last month. The potential of soft ground could well bring out further improvement here and I believe that he’s the one that they have to beat. Delacroix – 7/4 (Win) (NB)
3.00 Newmarket: Darley Dewhurst Stakes: We move onto the feature race of the day at 3.00 which is the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs. I find it hard to get away from the Ballydoyle runner again here and that’s The Lion In Winter for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He looked very impressive when winning the Acomb Stakes at York on his last start back in August when getting the better of two horses with significant potential in Wimbledon Hawkeye and Ruling Court. I think he could well prove to be another potential superstar for connections and if he progresses again from the York run he’ll be tough to beat. The Lion In Winter – Evs (Win) (NAP)
3.40 Newmarket: Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap: The 3.40 is where the action turns to now and this is the extremely competitive Cesarewitch Handicap that’s contested over two miles and two furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Manxman in this year’s renewal of the race for Simon & Ed Crisford who’s the mount of Sean Bowen who takes off three pounds. He’s well in under a penalty following a comfortable success over two miles and half of a furlong at Southwell when last seen back in August. He looks like a progressive four-year-old who shouldn’t have any issues with the distance, or whatever ground he may face on the day. I think he can run a big race. Manxman – 8/1 (Each-Way) (8 places – Sky Bet)
4.15 Newmarket: Godolphin Flying Start Nursery Handicap: The penultimate race of the day is the 4.15 which is Class 3 handicap action over seven furlongs. I’m staying loyal to Olympus Point in this for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. I put him up last time out when he won here last month, taking a handicap over a mile in impressive style by three lengths. He’s back down to seven on this occasion but I think they’ll make good use of him from the front, and if that is the case he could prove very difficult to peg back. He looks progressive and it would be disappointing should he not go well again. Olympus Point – 10/3 (Win)
4.50 Newmarket: Perfect Power British EBF Boadicea Stakes: Signing us off for the day will be the 4.50 which is the Listed Boadicea Stakes that’s ridden over six furlongs. I’m with Funny Story here who represents Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan. As I’ve stated in several blogs this week, the yard are often in fine form at this time of year and this year is no different with the winners flowing in. This particular four-year-old won this race last year and it’s likely that the plan has been to come back again to try and retain her crown. I think she’s got every chance of doing so in a race that doesn’t look particularly deep. Funny Story – 7/1 (Each-Way) (4 place firms)
