Today’s meeting at Doncaster is due to feature the Kameko Futurity Trophy (15h10), the last Group 1 of the season on the Flat in Britain, and course officials remain hopeful of racing.
Clerk of the course Paul Barker said on Friday afternoon: “Conditions have improved today. We have moved some rails to help remove some of the challenging areas.”
“Hopefully the 7.30am inspection is only precautionary. If the weather forecast is accurate, we should be fine in the morning.”
Eight juvenile colts contest the £127,576 first prize, run over the straight mile with three runners standing out on the ratings.
Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini (rated 108) looked good when winning the Flying Scotsman here at the Leger meeting last month.
He was ridden prominently on that occasion and still quickened up nicely to win easily by four-lengths. He has to step up on that to win here, but that listed victory was on soft ground so he should handle the track conditions.
Favourite for the race is the Godolphin owned Ancient Wisdom.
Supplemented here after a sparkling gallop at Newmarket this son of Dubawi is the highest rated runner, a 113. That follows his win in Newmarket’s Group 3 Autumn Stakes last month. He also raced prominently, picking up nicely when hitting the rising ground to win well. His only defeat came in the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot, a race won by Rosallion, and the form looks strong.
Aidan O’Brien has won this race a record eleven times, five of whom went on to classic success the following season. He saddles two runners, but the unbeaten Diego Velazquez looks the Ballydoyle ace.
Officially rated a 108 after two wins including a Group 2 at Leopardstown last month, this son of Frankel looks very progressive.
In both his starts he has shown his best in the final furlong and is sure to find further improvement on Saturday. The stable’s juveniles have had a remarkable run this season, dominant throughout the Flat season in Ireland. He was earmarked for this after his last success, and after what City Of Troy did in the Dewhurst, who is to argue with Aidan?
