Thursday 18th October 2007
Star-studded Dewhurst
Middle Park winner Dark Angel to bid for second Newmarket Group 1 success
THE NatWest Rowley Mile course is bracing itself for the two-year-old race of the season with a host of stars poised to contest the Darley Dewhurst Stakes.
Three horses with Group-1 winning form line up with National Stakes hero New Approach likely to be sent off favourite ahead of Prix Jean-Luc Lagerdere winner Rio De La Plata.
The other class top-class winner is Dark Angel who, only two weeks ago, triumphed in the Shadwell Middle Park Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket.
Charlie Hills, assistant to his father Barry, said: “Dark Angel has come out of the Middle Park well. He has seven furlongs to contend with for the first time but hopefully it shouldn’t be a problem - we will find out.
“It looks a particularly hot Dewhurst but he is a really consistent horse and a Group 1 winner. He is tough and honest.”
Dark Angel won the Middle Park and the Mill Reef Stakes on fast surfaces and the ground is almost certain to be on the soft side of good on Saturday. But Hills has fingers crossed that the Acclamation colt will be able to handle it. He added: “It is drying out and I hope it won’t inconvenience him too much.”
In the 11-strong field connections of Dubai Meydan - one of two maidens in the field - want there to be plenty of juice in the ground.
The High Chaparral colt, third on his only start at Nottingham, is trained by Gay Kelleway who said: “The softer the better for him.”
She added: “He is good enough to be in the race and has come on 10lb for his run. He beat a 107-rated horse of mine at home and won’t look out of place. He is an awesome-looking horse and the owners wanted to run him.”
Trainer John Gosden has already aired his thoughts on the easy ground regarding Raven’s Pass, unbeaten on good or quicker. Paul Cole has two in the race in the shape of Goffs Million winner Luck Money and Moynahan. Champagne Stakes star McCartney will compete as will Hatta Fort, impressive Acomb winner Fast Company and the other maiden Greatwallofchina.
Saturday’s other Group 1, the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, should also be a cracker with hardy campaigner Notnowcato taking on - among others - the unexposed Multidimensional and the three-year-old Creachadoir, who two weeks ago ran out a three-length winner of the one-mile Coumtrywide Steel and Tubes Joel Stakes.
The race has international appeal and French trainer Jean-Claud Rouget has Literato in, while Richard Gibson crosses the Channel with Doctor Dino.
By Tony Rushmer
