Racing
Newmarket Place 6 betting preview | October 8th
13.50 – Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3) – 1m2f
The Mark/Charlie Johnston stable has a fantastic record in this race, winning it five times, and he has another good chance with DEAR MY FRIEND. He ran very well when fifth in Vintage Stakes at Goodwood despite racing keenly before a good third in a listed event at Deauville last time. That form has been massively boosted since, given the second, Blue Rose Cen, won the Group 1 Marcel Boussac impressively by five lengths. With more to come, especially now stepping up in distance, he’s got solid each-way credentials here.
Selections: Dear My Friend
14.25 – Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3) – 1m
HOLLOWAY BOY has proved his impressive Chesham success at Royal Ascot on debut to be no fluke by running well in defeat to finish runner-up in Group Two/Three events since. He chased home Nostrum last time, who’s favourite for the Dewhurst in the next race, and the step up in trip could unlock improvement. If it does, he has sound claims. EXOPLANET looked very good when winning on debut three weeks ago and with more to offer now upped in grade, this son of Sea The Stars has a chance.
Selections: Holloway Boy, Exoplanet
15.00 – Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) – 7f
I was deeply impressed with the way the Sir Michael Stoute-trained NOSTRUM galloped home strongly when seeing off Holloway Boy last time over course-and-distance, extending his unbeaten record to two, and the experience of this course will stand him in good stead. He’s a big, powerful, robust unit, so he should have lots more to come and is an exciting prospect going forward. He can maintain his unbeaten record by getting the better of Chaldean and Naval Power in this excellent Group 1 event.
Selections: Nostrum
15.40 – Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (Heritage Handicap) – 2m2f
Richard Hughes’ PRINCE IMPERIAL is developing into a very decent stayer and ran a very good race when second to Rajinsky in the trial for this race over course-and-distance and has only been raised two pounds. He gets the services of Jim Crowley and has lots going for him, including the course and ground, so at huge odds, he could hit the frame.
ZOFFEE was unlucky when hampered at York last time but still ran with credit to take third and has only been nudged up a pound. He’s reunited with Frankie for the first time since the pair were narrowly denied at Newmarket, a race that has worked out well, and he has a good chance on these terms.
CALL MY BLUFF went very close over this trip at Chester last time and ran well over C&D when third in the trial race, so he’s definitely on the shortlist at huge odds with Luke Morris booked to ride carrying a low weight. He’s a reliable stayer who has plenty going for him too. I would have him a lot shorter in the betting here.
Selections: Prince Imperial, Zoffee, Call My Bluff
16.15 – Too Darn Hot Nursery – 7f
Will Buick has opted for Desert Order over MODERN DANCER, but I like the claims of the latter, who’s been solid in defeat since winning on debut and should have more to come under the guidance of James Doyle. He looks a really solid option to at least make the frame in this competitive nursery event.
Selections: Modern Dancer
16.50 – Blue Point British EBF Boadicea Stakes (Fillies’ And Mares’ Listed) – 6f
TENAYA CANYON ran a very solid race when third behind Gale Force Maya at Ayr last time, in which she was suited to a strong pace, and she’s likely to get that here too. Ed Walker has three in this but the fact that Ryan Moore has been booked to ride suggests this filly is the main hopeful. Her last visit to Newmarket saw her finish a neck second to Umm Kulthum in a listed race and that is really good form in the context of this assignment.
In the hope she gets a clear passage, this could be the day she finally gets a deserved pattern-class win under her belt. AZURE BLUE did very well to overcome a poor track position to win comfortably over C&D last time and this filly will also get a good pace to aim, which is when she’s seen to best effect. She’s up in grade but she might be capable of winning again with more to come.
Selections: Tenaya Canyon, Azure Blue
