One of two top level contests at Newmarket on Saturday, the Middle Park Stakes is the 6f Group 1 for the boys, immediately after the fillies’ Cheveley Park Stakes. GG’s expert Joe Napier looks over the race to guide you through the field.
Vandeek was in the midst of an unbeaten season when winning this cosily for the Crisford yard a year ago.
WHISTLEJACKET
(Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore)
It is potentially a sign of where Ballydoyle see Whistlejacket’s future that he runs in this race. Although it is a Group 1 with plenty of prior pedigree, it has tended to be a beacon for sprinters in recent years. The yard’s very own Blackbeard won this two years ago in what would be his final start, with both Perfect Power and Vandeek either side continuing to race at 6f.
Whistlejacket himself is a full brother to Little Big Bear, who may have won a Group 2 at three (over 6f no less), but who was ultimately a champion juvenile. The younger sibling has already claimed a two-year-old Group 1 of his own, winning the Prix Morny in France from the front, and given he goes on soft ground, he looks a rock solid favourite to win a second. Where he goes after this shall be a debate for later.
IDES OF MARCH
(Aidan O’Brien/Sean Levey)
The clear second favourite is Whistlejacket’s stablemate, and Ides Of March may be improving enough to make things interesting. He went off favourite under Ryan Moore for a Curragh maiden in July, only to be overshadowed by neighbour The Lion In Winter, but that horse is now favourite for the 2025 Derby and Ides Of March has won on his subsequent two starts.
The second of those is the one worth focusing on, ad he came clear by more than three lengths for a Curragh Group 3, though he did also defeat stablemate and subsequent Group 2 runner-up Monumental for his maiden success three weeks prior. Overall, his form is beginning to stack up, but without the proof he can go on soft ground and clearly the second string in reputation, it would still be a surprise if he could overcome Whistlejacket.
SHADOW OF LIGHT
(Charlie Appleby/William Buick)
Shadow Of Light would be towards the top of the British juvenile pecking order anyway, but as a three parts brother to 2019 Middle Park winner Earthlight, he attracts even more attention here. It continues to be a mixed season for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby overall, but this son of Lope De Vega may be an unearthed gem for next term.
His close relative had won the Prix Morny on heavy ground, which bodes well for this first run on soft ground for Shadow Of Light. He lost his unbeaten streak in his third race last time out, but that was in what looked a strong edition of the Gimcrack Stakes at York. The third has come out to win since, with the fourth and sixth both narrowly beaten in valuable races next time out too, so it is stacking up, and he looks the likeliest to ask questions of the favourite.
BLACK FORZA
(Michael O’Callaghan/Colin Keane)
The American-bred Black Forza is the first of his sire Complexity’s progeny to make a splash this side of the Atlantic, but impress he did. A winner on his second start in a Fairyhouse maiden, his yard made a successful raid on Glorious Goodwood as he swooped fast and late for the Group 2 Richmond Stakes over this distance.
That race did end up suiting the closers, but he did finish extremely fast. The concern would be whether he will appreciate soft ground, with there being few suggestions he would on breeding. He also disappointed slightly when sent over to Keeneland at Listed level earlier this month, so while talented, he is not an alluring betting proposition here.
Cambridgeshire Trends – Newmarket Big Field Handicap by the Stats
Held on the final day of Newmarket’s three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting, this handicap is still one of the biggest field races of the season. Run over 1m and 1f on Newmarket’s Rowley mile, it has been in place since 1839, and Dave Young seeks the latest winner on the illustrious roll of honour by going through…
Tue 24 Sep 2024
THE FIELD
There is only one unbeaten runner in the field, which is Defence Minister for Hama Al Jehani and Wathnan Racing. His racing has been done only in novice company so far, but he was strong at the finish with a touch of cut in the ground at Haydock last time under a penalty and is surely Group quality, though this is some first assignment for him at this level.
Both Intrusively and Jouncy have gained experience in high class races, and it was definitely an improvement from the latter at Kempton last time. He still requires more here, though his dam won on soft, as did Intrusively’s sire. Both look to lack the class for Group 1s though, while Dash Dizzy is very well-related, but is, like Defence Minister, taking an almighty hike in class.
VERDICT
This should be a second successive Group 1 win for WHISTLEJACKET, for whom there are very few reasons to oppose him. Though he has failed to justify favouritism three times in his career, he has won three of four starts on good-to-soft or slower (only defeat on debut) and his Prix Morny success last time out has serious substance. Ryan Moore should be able to dictate this from the front and it will take some talent to get past him. The pair who could be up to it are Shadow Of Light, closely related to the 2019 winner Earthlight and who should like cut in the ground, and the selection’s stablemate Ides Of March, who is improving fast. If there is a fly in the ointment, Defence Minister is he, though this is a massive step up in class.
- Whistlejacket
- Shadow Of Light
- Ides Of March
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