Saturday’s ITV action comes from Newmarket’s Future Champions Day, headlined by the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, and the final day of the season at York.
Matty Sutcliffe will be keeping his keen eye on those two Saturday meetings, picking out three horses to watch.
13:15 Newmarket – Modern Games Darley Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+)
This contest hinges on the balance of whether Humidity has trained on this season, and while he has made the wrong choices in the past, James Doyle would surely have chosen the mount of Haatem, who he’s ridden to success on multiple occasions, unless connections weren’t sure Humidity is ready for this reappearance.
The son of Ulysses won his first two starts of the year last season, including landing the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Seventh in a strong-looking Vintage Stakes where it paid to come from off the pace, he was then beaten a short head in a remarkable blanket finish in the Solario Stakes.
His career best undoubtedly came at the end of the season, when a length second to Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge. He kept on well there behind subsequently the most dominant three-year-old in recent years, and the third also franked that form when second in the Futurity Stakes next time out.
Obviously, without being privy to the yard, we’re guessing from an educated viewpoint as to whether he’s trained on, but being by Ulysses, he’s bred to come into his own as a three-year-old and his full brother Holloway Boy has continued to shine with age.
Given he won first time up as a two-year-old, this layoff hopefully isn’t a hindrance and he’s a big player if improving further for a gelding operation.
13:30 York – Sky Bet Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)
George Boughey isn’t the most regular frequenter of York, with just nine runners here this season, but four of them have placed and Divine Whisper is his sole runner across this two-day finale.
Tom Marquand, who’s won the race on three of the last five occasions, is booked, and the Mehmas filly remains far less exposed than her rivals. She made her debut here in June and was just beaten a short head from off the pace, splitting the two who made the running. The winner has won two Listed contests since, and they pulled clear of the third.
She backed that up in a much lesser event at Windsor next time out, but proved those runs were up to scratch when third in the valuable Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Goodwood in July. She was 16lb inferior to the winner there on ratings, and the second has franked the form since, now rated 101 after latterly being beaten a length in Group 2 company.
She returns fresh from a 73-day layoff, and she’s bred to appreciate this step up in trip back on a track she debuted well at.
14:05 York – Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105)
Bottom weight Stoneacre Donny looks to be wildly underestimated in the market here and can continue his impressive York form.
He was a surprise novice winner for Tim Easterby last September, and made a promising start to his three-year-old season when third at Doncaster behind the now 109-rated Al Azd. That was followed up by a second at York over 1m4f behind the well-backed Arc Ole Ole, who was close up at Royal Ascot next time out, and the fourth has also won twice since.
Another placed effort at York followed, when running freely over course and distance behind Pearl River, who was dropping in class after the London Gold Cup.
He bombed out at York in July when favourite, but he produced a smart performance back over course and distance when settling well under a prominent ride. He hit the front travelling strongly two out, and he shot away in an instant, reversing the form with Pearl River to win eased down. The second franked that form to win a Newbury Class 2 next time out.
He carried a 6lb penalty just four days later when contesting the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster, but still looked well treated when pulling very hard and suffering for room, firmly on the bridle a furlong out. Those exertions left their mark in the finish, but he was only beaten two lengths in a race that’s already worked out.
Now back at his beloved York off bottom weight, he’s sure to be thereabouts for the in-form Tim Easterby.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Three to Watch for Saturday 10 October
13:15 Newmarket – Modern Games Darley Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Humidity 5/2 1pt WIN
13:30 York – Sky Bet Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo) – Divine Whisper 8/1 1pt EW 4 places
14:05 York – Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – Stoneacre Donny 20/1 1pt EW 5 places
FAQs
When was Matthew Sutcliffe’s article published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s article was published at 9.40am on Friday 9 October.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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