Hi all,
Here’s my recap of Saturday’s Future Champions card at Newmarket.
Gewan Upsets Dewhurst Favourites as Guineas Market Reshapes
The Dewhurst Stakes remains the most prestigious juvenile race run in Britain and Ireland — a true stallion-maker won by greats like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, and Frankel. This year’s renewal was expected to produce a clear favourite for next year’s first colts’ Classic, but Gewan’s 25/1 shock turned the market on its head. William Hill now go 10/1 the field for the 2,000 Guineas.
Gewan bounced back from a lacklustre Champagne Stakes run on sticky Doncaster ground. The quicker surface clearly suited, and he travelled smoothly throughout. Sent forward two furlongs out, he quickened smartly and never really looked like being caught, though Gstaad got within three-quarters of a length at the line. You can watch the race here.
As I had expected, Gstaad was sent off favourite. He pulled far too hard early and still did well to finish as close as he did. The engine is there no doubt about that, but he’ll need to settle if he’s to stay a mile next season.
Distant Storm, so impressive over course and distance on his previous start, again settled well but couldn’t quite reach the front pair. It was still a solid effort, and he remains one to look forward to. His Guineas quote of 16/1 looks on the generous side. A mile at three will suit him perfectly.
Zavateri lost his unbeaten record but ran another credible race in fourth. He didn’t look entirely at home on the track, so a return to a flatter course will suit. He remains a credit to his connections.
Dewhurst Verdict:
Gewan was cut to 12/1 for the Guineas, which feels generous given how well he won. Distant Storm deserves plenty of respect for next spring, while Gstaad may end up sprinting. Zavateri has had a fine campaign and looks a reliable type for good Group races next season without perhaps being top class as 3yo.
Beylerbeyi Flies Home in the Cesarewitch
The market revolved around the Irish pair Reverend Hubert (7/2) and Bunting (5/1), but it was Beylerbeyi who stormed through from the rear to land the marathon Cesarewitch Handicap.
Slowly away, partly by design, he settled well in the rear before slicing through the field under a confident Billy Loughnane ride. It was a perfectly judged ride and a clear sign that Beylerbeyi stays 2m2f strongly and his young rider has the temperament to go to the very top of the jockey ranks. Mind you Billy will be happy he only had to pass 18 runners rather than 35.
Dawn Rising looked to have the race won when hitting the front two furlongs out but was worn down late. His long losing run continues but you can’t knock this effort.
Bunting ran well in third despite not getting a smooth passage, while the consistent Divine Comedy was a bit unlucky in fourth after being short of room three out.
Reverend Hubert kept on for fifth, doing best of those who raced prominently. The latter had been a good winner of the Cesarewitch Trial here. A race that remains a poor prep for the big race.
This year’s 19 runner turnout was woeful for one of the most iconic flat races run in Britain. Hopefully next year we’ll be back to 30+ runners. Mind you the trend isn’t promising.
Earlier on the Card
Damysus took the Group 3 Darley Stakes (1m1f) in decisive fashion. A flop in the Derby, he’s now back in business after a break, winning twice. The son of Frankel and can do better as a 4yo back over 1m2f.
The Zetland Stakes (1m2f) turned into a 4f sprint for home after a steady pace, suiting Pierre Bonnard, the well-backed 6/4 favourite. You can mark up his performance as he came from the rear in a steadily run race to lead home stablemate Endorsement in a 1-2 for Aidan O’Brien. The Camelot colt has plenty of stamina in his pedigree (dam won at 1m4f) and looks a future middle-distance performer to follow.
In the Autumn Stakes (1m), Hankelow made all under an uncomplicated Clifford Lee ride. He dictated from the front and was never headed. The ground was probably on the quick side for him, and he can do better on easier ground. Al Zanati, keen early, stuck on well for second, showing plenty of ability. The big, scopey New Zealand finished fourth. He still looked a bit raw and remains one to keep onside next season.
In tomorrow’s column I’ll complete my look back at Newmarket’s Future Champions meeting with a focus on Friday’s action.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John