Day two of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire cranks the level up a notch, with races broadcast live on ITV3. Matty Sutcliffe has picked out four value selections to follow.
Published: 4.55pm, Wednesday, September 25th (Odds correct at time of writing)
1:50 Newmarket – Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai British EBF Rosemary Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Sirona 10/3 2pt WIN
The last time a four-year-old won this contest (2019) was under Ryan Moore, who’s all time record for David Menuisier reads 19-6-6 (£18.33+) and he’s booked to give SIRONA a first win since joining the yard.
The German-bred filly was beaten a short neck in listed company at Longchamp last time out behind a subsequent Godolphin G3 runner up, bouncing back from a below par effort on a firmer surface when 6/1 for the G3 Valiant Stakes. Prior to that, she was an excellent four length fifth in the Falmouth behind Porta Fortuna with the G1 Prix Rothschild third a 1/4L ahead, and that form is undoubtedly the best on offer in this field.
Though you all know I tend to steer clear of a favourite, the 10/3 on offer is more that fair and this softer going will suit more than most. Two of her three wins have come in a field of seven (the other in six), so Friday’s conditions will give her no excuse not to be going very close this time around.
2:25 Newmarket – Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Sea Of Roses 13/2 1pt WIN
SEA OF ROSES’ record on ground containing ‘soft’ in the description reads 21225031, with the two outliers when seemingly not quite right last Autumn, and she posted a career best last time out when giving 3lbs for a neck beating of subsequent St Leger fourth (1 3/4L) Deira Mile despite being rated 8lbs lower. That was a solid performance given she was keen enough, and she’s shaped throughout the season as if returning to that original promise showed as a two-year-old.
Those forcing tactics appeared to suit strongly there, and in a race lacking much early pace as ever with these fillies contests, she can grab the nearside rail early and attempt to make all once more with her now seemingly getting her act together.
3:35 Newmarket – Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Task Force 5/1 1pt WIN
Juddmonte last won this with Time Test in 2015 under Ryan Moore, and they’re doubly represented by Lead Artist and TASK FORCE this time around. I’m siding with the latter under Ryan Moore, as although he has a length to find with Lead Artist, I’m adamant he wants a softer surface to unearth the best of him.
The son of Frankel is suited to the Rowley course having been second to Vandeek in the Middle Park before faring well when a six length sixth in the 2000 Guineas (strong form), so the return here can spark improvement. The drop back to seven furlongs didn’t appear to suit when outpaced in the Jersey on firm going at Ascot, but he was much better when beaten a length in a G3 behind Lead Artist at Goodwood despite taking a keen hold in a first time tongue tie.
Task Force ran to a similar level in the reapplied aid when beaten three lengths in the Strensall Stakes under a keen hold when he likely would’ve been a tad closer had he not had his run checked late on, and a reproduction of that effort would see him fare well despite rising in grade once more.
Those last three efforts came on quick going, but that surface appears to light him up and given his dam and winning half-sister won on soft ground, this surface can bring out that extra bit of improvement required to take a race of this nature.
4:45 Newmarket – Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Ziggy W/O Favourite 1pt SP
I’ve been massively impressed with Military Academy, who in truth could go off plenty shorter than 7/4. The unexposed son of Fastnet Rock is well suited to soft ground and easily dispatched of our Ascot winner The Reverend on debut before bolting up six lengths next time out, and he can take this step up into listed company within his stride.
That said, ZIGGY looks a big enough price in here and can follow that one home in second. The gelded son of Sixties Icon was the subject of a gamble in the Ebor at York when faring when from a prominent pitch in race which favoured those in midfield/held up, but seemingly didn’t stay the 1m6f distance. Prior to that, he took his record over 1m4f to 12321 when taking York handicap off top-weight, posting a joint second highest career RPR in the process. While this will be his first foray into listed company, his two length third to Crystal Black in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes bodes well and his forcing tactics will be of use on the Rowley Mile.
He was last seen on a softer surface when three length behind subsequent listed and G3 placed Relentless Voyager which bodes well for these conditions, and this consistent gelding can go well for Tom Marquand whose only ride on him came when third at Royal Ascot.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.