Day 2 of the Dubai Future Champions Festival, headlined by the running of the GI Dewhurst Stakes, Great Britain’s most prestigious race for juveniles. A race that is steeped in history and won by some of the great names in European racing. From the likes of Nijinsky and Mill Reef to Rock of Gibraltar, Shamardal and Frankel to name just a few who started their legacies as a two year old winning the Dewhurst. Will we see that same progression from Native Trail, an undefeated 3 for 3 so far after turning over the highly touted Point Lonsdale in the GI Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at The Curragh.
On top of the great group stakes action this morning at Newmarket, we will see another massive field line up for the Cesarewitch Handicap. No chance at the “Autumn Double” this season (Winning the Cambridgeshire & Cesarewitch Handicaps) as Bedouin’s Story comes back two races late in the GIII Darley Stakes, however it is still an extremely competitive field with lots of interest. All set for another cracking day of racing as the European flat season gets closer to its grand final!
UK (Saturday)
Newmarket – First Post: 8:10 AM ET
Race 1: 1-4-10
Race 2: 6-9-1 (GIII Zetland Stakes)
Race 3: 7-3-5 (GIII Autumn Stakes)
Race 4: 5-7-2 (GI Dewhurst Stakes)
Race 5: 9-26-32 (Cesarewitch Handicap)
Race 6: 8-14-7 (Boadicea Fillies’ Stakes)
Race 7: 8-11-1 (GIII Darley Stakes)
Race 1 – #1 – American Star – Dropped out of group stakes company to run very well LTO at Newbury. Was his first tilt at 7 furlongs and seemed to really relish the distance. Being a young son of Starspangledbanner, the step up in distance wasn’t going to be a problem but the 6 furlongs would be the sweet spot for this galloper. Was overmatched in the GII Gimcrack Stakes but other than that has been fantastic and should continue his strong form today.
Race 3 – #7 – Imperial Fighter – Ran well to be 2nd in the GIII Acomb Stakes behind Royal Patronage, who came back to defeat the heavy favorite Coroebus in very strange fashion in the GII Royal Lodge Stakes. Lots of talk buzzing around Coroebus and the market will reflect that. Coroebus to me will be way too short of a price despite being a deserving favorite. Imperial Fighter has shown similar form and should be a strong second choice in the market. Keep an eye on the market because this runner should be a good price even as 2nd choice.
Race 4 – #5 – Glounthaune – Impressive winner on debut at The Curragh back in April. Defeated Castle Star who came back to win two stakes so far this season in Ireland following that maiden race. Has been off for a bit but Aidan O’Brien decides to jump this 2 year old son of Kodiac right into a tough Group One race. There is definitely some belief that he is up for the run and should be a really nice price. Native Trail is very good and a deserving favorite, but will be another Godolphin runner who will be bet down considerably.
Race 5 – #9 – Themaxwecan – Has started to round back into form with two very nice performances in class 2 handicaps at Newmarket and Goodwood. That last effort came over course and distance and was very happy with how the son of Maxios stayed on in the late stages. He has been an up and down type runner but seems to be getting better as this season has gone on. Carries 129 on the day and should be able to put together a similar run to what we saw last time out.
Race 7 – #8 – King Vega – Will try to make all in the running and it won’t be a huge surprise to me if he does. Tried to do the same LTO but was overtaken in the stretch. Showed what he is capable of when winning a class 4 novice at Goodwood 2 back, however this is a much tougher challenge. There’s several late closers in this field including the Cambridgeshire Handicap winner in Bedouin’s Story, but at a pretty nice price I think King Vega is worth a play to wire them in the GIII Darley Stakes.
Side Note: We see the return of Barney Roy in this race, has not seen the track since winning the GI Grosser Preis von Baden back in 2020. Interestingly enough, the 2021 winner of that race, Torquator Tasso, just took out the Arc. Will be great to see this now 7 year old son of Excelebration back in action. A really cool horse and a multiple Group 1 winner in his storied career for Godolphin.
