Desert Star carries the Queen’s Group 1 racing hopes at Newmarket tomorrow
The Queen has a wonderful prospect of ending her Golden Jubilee year on the turf with a resounding success at Newmarket on Saturday.
Desert Star carries the royal silks in the Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes, which has attracted a large field of 17 with the appearance of a full dress-rehearsal for next year’s 2000 Guineas.
TradeFair, runaway winner of his Newbury maiden, is currently favourite for the Guineas. But Desert Star, who was bred at the Royal Studs, was equally impressive in his victory over the Newmarket course and distance a fortnight ago.
A follow-up win here would almost certainly see Desert Star leap frog Trade Fair at the head of the Guineas ante-post market and provide a welcome boost for the Queen’s racing fortunes.
Aidan O’Brien, reigning champion trainer of Ireland and England, is four-handed with Tomahawk, Great Pyramid, Ontario and Marino Marini. Tomahawk was runner-up to Oasis Dream here in the Middle Park Stakes a fortnight ago and if he runs well could join stable companions Hold That Tiger and Van Nistelrooy in an audacious raid on the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in Chicago next weekend.
Frankie Dettori partners Noverre (pictured) for the Maktoum family’s Godolphin, which is also represented by Moon Ballad and Equerry in a disappointingrenewal of the 125th Emirates Airline Champion Stakes.
Noverre disappointed from an unfavourable draw on his last appearance in Canada, but a Goodwood second to Rock Of Gibraltar and third behind Nayef and Golan at York are performances of considerable merit at the highest level.
Moon Ballad finished third behind High Chaparral and Hawk Wing in the Derby and was impressive when he reappeared bat Goodwood last month.
Ten-times champion trainer Henry Cecil is hoping to put three disastrous seasons behind him and get back in the Group 1 winning groove with Burning Sun, who was successful at Royal Ascot. But the vote goes to Noverre.
Take a chance with the lighty weighted three-year-old Hawkwind, from the in-form John Gosden stable in the Tote Cesarewitch. Gosden has booked ace lightweight Franny Norton for the ride and is hoping Hawkwind puts a recent disappointing Ascot run behind him.
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