Nic Doggett analyses the feature-race action from Future Champions Day at Newmarket.
O'Brien filly makes the biggest impression
Newmarket 14:35 - Emaar Middle Park Stakes (Group 1)
A surprise result, and questionable form, but an interesting race nonetheless. Victory went the way of prominent racer
CRUSADE under Seamie Heffernan, and on first inspection it would appear that up with the pace was the place to be. He raced more down the centre of the track than many, skipped a length or two clear a furlong out, and then found plenty of reserves when challenged inside the final furlong to hang on for a gritty win. He was dropping in trip here, and the feeling might be that this son of Mr Greeley out of a sprint mare might struggle to be as effective over a mile next season. Runner-up Lilbourne Lad ran a cracker, moving into contention from midfield with two furlongs to run. He didn't have to shoulder a penalty here unlike earlier in the season, and it showed, as he put in a powerful performance and seemed to relish hitting the rising ground coming out of the dip. Reply finished third, and did best of those who raced on the stands side rail. He was never too far off the pace and looked as if he might pounce on the rail, but couldn't run down his stablemate. Balty Boys ran a season best in fourth. His close-up run may lead people to question the form (perhaps rightly so), however his jockey made a bold move to try and make all on the far side and it nearly paid off. He was only a nostril out of the places and only lost out in the dying strides. The talking point of the race is probably Caspar Netscher. Searching for his third top level win of the year, after Gimcrack and Mill Reef successes, he was badly outpaced by halfway, having fluffed the start slightly, before absolutely rocketing home. He cannot be classed as unlucky, as he got the gaps, but would surely have caught the winner in another 10 strides and lost little caste in defeat. He probably heads to the Breeders' Cup, and after this run connections may favour the mile race. Two others ran cracking races - namely Saigon and West Leake Diman. The former stayed on from off the pace and looks more than ready for another furlong, whilst the latter was always up with the pace in the centre of the track and ran a gallant race in defeat. B Fifty Two ran well but could never quite get to the leading bunch, whilst Family One travelled well for a long way (held up) but ultimately flattered to deceive and was well-beaten. The other well-fancied runner, Bapak Chinta, showed good pace to lead on the stands rail but he quickly got shuffled back before the race started in earnest and he trailed in last. This was disappointing, and he looked beaten even before the longer trip became an issue; this wasn't his true running.
Newmarket 15:10 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)
Another upset as 20/1 shot
PARISH HALL denied compatriot Power and earned himself some Derby quotes in the process. Kevin Manning had him hard up against the stands rail and, like Middle Park winner Crusade, was always up with the pace. He showed plenty of resolution in the final two furlongs, with several challenges coming on his outside, but he really picked up well for Manning. His trainer, who has now won four of the last seven renewals of this race, reckons he's as good as previous winners New Approach and Teofilo and he is looking to Epsom next year already. Runner-up Power looked unlucky. Ryan Moore was trapped behind horses as the sprint for home started, but then managed to weave a belated passage through. Unfortunately for his fans (and there were many, given he was sent off the 15/8 favourite) the race had gone by then and although he rattled home he was never going to catch the winner. He's had a hardy season but is holding his form well and looks a nice prospect for next year. He has a speedier pedigree than the winner and the Guineas should be right up his alley, whether in Ireland, England or France. Third was Most Improved, who had put up a fine speed figure when winning on the July course, and he ran exceedingly well. He was a tad keen in the early stages but made his ground up on the leaders nicely before just looking a little green and novicey when trying to launch a winning challenge. Bronterre probably ruined his chance on the way to the start, going down far too keenly under Richard Hughes. In the end he ran a fine race in fourth, having raced on his own for the first two furlongs before joining the main group. He was keen enough in the race itself and could probably have done with more of a lead. He looks a fine prospect for next season however and the Oasis Dream colt is still an exciting horse. Fifth was stablemate Trumpet Major who appeared to find things happening a tad too quickly early on, but once moved to the outside he picked up strongly. He's had a hard season but looks in good nick and as long as he gets decent ground he can win at this level, perhaps on the continent. The leading quintet were clear of the rest. Red Duke tracked Bronterre throughout but was soon beaten when the race started to hot up, whilst Ektihaam was a huge disappointment. He's a big horse and his action suggests he needs soft ground so we shouldn't be too harsh on his effort, and he's still an enticing colt for the mile classics next season. He was being eased when he was squeezed for room late in the day. Spiritual Star ran ok, having cut across Power to get a position on the rail and travelling strongly throughout, but he just lacked the class to be competitive at this level. This race has a better record than the Middle Park for highlighting future Classic winners, and this year should be no different. This bunch looked a much more scopey bunch than the preceding race and the placed horses look ones to follow throughout the next 12 months.
Newmarket 16:25 Vision.ae Rockfel Stakes (Fillies' Group 2)
A quicker time than the Dewhurst (although they carried 3lbs less), and a really taking performance from
WADING. Aidan O'Brien's filly was once again a winner from near the front, with Ryan Moore happy to get an early lead from the keen-running Grey Pearl. He angled the Montjeu filly out for a run with two furlongs to run and she moved into the lead travelling exceedingly strongly. Quickly taking a length out of her rivals, she then showed signs of greenness (on just her third start) wandering under pressure. Once corrected by Moore she straightened up and was well on top at the line, attracting quotes of around 12/1 for next-year's opening Classic at HQ. She's the same price for the Oaks, and given her dam is from the family of Sea The Stars, she makes plenty of appeal for both races. Second home was favourite Pimpernel who was stepping back out of nursery company. She was held up early on before making up ground on the leaders with three to run. However that effort arguably told in the end and she was comfortably held. This was a decent performance, especially as the way the race unfolded was against her. Gray Pearl finished third, and she ran a fine race. She was a tad keen early on and strode on in the lead, but to her credit she kept on battling and although beaten by two better fillies, it's unlikely that the experience will have been lost on her. She's more speedily bred than the first two home, so with a mile possibly likely to stretch her stamina, she might not be the easiest to place next year if she's not out of the top class. Andrew Balding's Bana Wu stayed on late in the day for fourth, having looked to be outpaced when the sprint for home began. Sunday Times raced in midfield but looked another who just lacked the tactical pace when it was required, whilst Janey Muddles was quite keen and seemed to lack the experience required for this task, although she did stay on again late in the day. The disappointment of the race was Alsindi, who lost her unbeaten record in style. This may have come too soon after her Oh So Sharp win, as she ran flat, failing to pick up when asked and was then not given a hard time when defeat was inevitable.
