Hi all,
Just the four races from Newmarket on ITV but two of them are Group 1’s — the Cheveley Park Stakes (2:25) for the 2yo fillies followed by the colt’s equivalent, the Middle Park Stakes (3:00). The big betting race is the bet365 Cambridgeshire (3:40). Add in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes (1:50) and you have a cracking eight-race card at Newmarket. Besides the four races from Newmarket ITV Racing are also covering a couple of races from Haydock.
Sunday’s big race is the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh which has €600,000 on offer in guaranteed prize money.
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at three ITV races from Newmarket
Cambridgeshire Day Headlines
It was quick ground at Newmarket on Friday, but they are due to put on 3mm of water overnight and I wouldn’t be surprised if most of it goes on the stands’ side to even things out for the Cambridgeshire Handicap.
Royal Fixation Bids to Confirm York Form in Cheveley Park
Lowther Stakes winner Royal Fixation heads the betting for the Cheveley Park Stakes (2:25). Open to further improvement, she’s a leading contender who can confirm Lowther form with runner-up America Queen. The latter was just a length behind Royal Fixation at York but might need an extra furlong.
Aidan O’Brien brings over two, Beautify and True Love. Beautify travelled like the most likely winner when leading 1f out but was caught close to home in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes (7f) last time. She’s still improving, and it’s interesting that Aidan drops her back to 6f rather than step her up to a mile for the Fillies’ Mile. True Love was a beaten favourite (1/4) in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last time. Found to be slightly lame that day, she could easily bounce back and is a leading contender if she does.
Of the rest, Fitzella looks a shade overpriced. She improved to win a Group 3 at Ascot two starts back and backed up that effort when runner-up in a Group 2 at Deauville (7f) last time. The winner of the Deauville race is a useful Andre Fabre-trained filly and the drop back to 6f looks a positive for Fitzella.
Wise Approach the One to Beat in Middle Park
Wise Approach is the short-priced favourite for the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes (3:00). Steadily progressive, the son of Mehmas posted a career best when a ¾-length third of six to Venetian Sun in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time. That Morny form makes him the one to beat.
The money has come for the once-raced The Publican's Son. Thrown in the deep end on debut, he ran a cracker to finish ¾-length runner-up in a Group 3 at the Curragh. Doing his best work at the finish, he’s clearly highly regarded, and his dirt pedigree suggests quicker ground will suit.
Havana Hurricane was slowly away but finished strongly when a 1¾-length fourth of 10 to Revival Power in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes (5f) at Doncaster. The return to 6f will help, but his slow starts are a concern. He’s probably not up to winning a Group 1 but has each-way claims.
Treble Teed Up for Cambridgeshire Handicap Bid
There seemed to be bias towards those drawn closer to the stands’ rail on Friday. So, will the Clerk of the Course water away that bias for the Cambridgeshire? In truth I wouldn’t be surprised. So, if you like one drawn low, I wouldn’t give up — but it might still pay to look for one drawn higher.
Just 24, that’s 11 short of the maximum, were declared for the bet365 Cambridgeshire (3:40). It’s a long time since there was such a small field the first leg of the ‘Autumn Double’. Remember not that long ago we even had a consolation Cambridgeshire.
Treble Tee has improved since going handicapping. The 3yo was an impressive winner of a Doncaster handicap 14 days ago and he’s 4lb well-in under his penalty. If he stays 1m1f, he’ll be tough to beat.
Oisin Murphy rode Treble Tee at Doncaster, but he’s on Fort George here. Oisin rode Fort George to victory in a Newmarket handicap (1m 2f) last time. He also won here in May so handles the track and is a big player.
Tribal Chief had Treble Tee ½-length back in second when winning a Goodwood Handicap (1m) last time. There shouldn’t be such a price gap between the pair — 14/1 compared to 11/2 — given he’ll be suited by the extra furlong.
Treasure Time was progressive last season but hasn’t quite kicked on this year. Last time was more encouraging, and quicker ground plus the step up to 1m1f could spark him.
Cash, lightly raced for a 6yo, hasn’t won since his 2yo debut but returned to form when runner-up to Treble Tee at Doncaster on his belated handicap debut. Today’s extra furlong will suit as will the forecast strong pace. David Egan takes over in the saddle and he has each-way claims.
Staking Challenge Selection
Haydock
2:05 – Blue Storm – £1.60 win – 5/1
Running Total: £71.20
I’ll be back on Monday to look back at the Cambridgeshire Day highlights.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John