Although the headline race at Newmarket on Friday is the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes, visitors to the July Course can enjoy a competitive undercard including Group 2 action.
A small field of four line up for the 6f Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (2:25), with short-priced favourite Star Of Mystery potentially scaring off rivals. The Godolphin filly ran into a good winner on debut in Carla's Way and could only manage second at Doncaster over six and a half furlongs. She bounced back with an eleven length success at Haydock and upheld that form in the Listed Empress Stakes over course and distance, where she easily destroyed a field of good quality fillies by four lengths. The daughter of Kodiac looks difficult to beat.
Her main opposition appears to be the Dominic Ffrench Davies-trained Persian Dreamer, who was a debut winner and finished fourth in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. She is proven at the top level, but this will be a tough ask.
WIN: STAR OF MYSTERY
The juvenile colts get their turn in the 7f Class 3 Weatherbys British EBF Maiden Stakes (4:10) and all the top yards are unveiling exciting debutantes. Godolphin head the market with Emperor's Star, who cost 300,000 euros. The Sea The Stars colt is related to Cloth Of Stars through his dam line and should be an exciting prospect for the future.
Aidan O'Brien travels over Capulet, who is by Justify. A half-brother to juvenile winner Mohawk Chief, his dam Wedding Vow was a full-sister to useful performers such as Serpentine, By Bye Baby and Beacon Rock.
Experience could play a role in the finish and Roger Varian's Warm Spell has already had one run. The colt shaped well on debut when second at Goodwood, despite being hampered on the start. He made good headway in the closing stages and stayed on over six furlongs, but was unable to get on terms with the impressive winner Thunder Blue. The step up in distance is certainly a positive and he rates well in a field of inexperienced colts.
WIN: WARM SPELL
It could be another good day for the boys in blue with favourites across the card. The Godolphin operation own the top two in the market for the 1m2f Class 2 6 Horse Challenge At bet365 Handicap (1:50). Although King George V Stakes sixth Tagabawa heads the market, it is stablemate Local Dynasty who appeals in the handicap. A three time winner as a juvenile including in Listed company, the colt was slightly hampered at the start at Royal Ascot and still managed to finish a good third in the Golden Gate Stakes. He remains unexposed in handicap company and is very capable overcoming top weight.
WIN: LOCAL DYNASTY
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1 – LOCAL DYNASTY
RACE 2 – STAR OF MYSTERY
RACE 3 – KIHAVAH
RACE 4 – PROSPEROUS VOYAGE
RACE 5 – WARM SPELL
RACE 6 – PERSUASION
RACE 7 – ISLE OF LISMORE
