Highly-Anticipated Cheveley Park Showdown
This year’s Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) for 2-year-old fillies at Newmarket promises to be a thrilling contest, with a stellar lineup of top fillies set to clash on September 28. The depth of the field in the Cheveley Park Stakes is in stark contrast to the Middle Park Stakes (G1) for colts on the same card, making it a must-watch race for racing fans.
Among the contenders for the Cheveley Park Stakes is Babouche, who has been unbeaten this season and has already proven her class by winning the Phoenix Stakes (G1) and Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1). Trained by Ger Lyons and owned by Juddmonte, Babouche has been targeted for this prestigious race and is expected to put on a strong performance.
Barry Mahon, racing manager for Juddmonte, expressed confidence in Babouche’s abilities, stating, “She’s been a star all year and was impressive when beating the colts at the Curragh. We’ve given her a little break, and she has definitely got stronger and put on condition. The question mark is the ground. I don’t know what effect the rain will have on her chances.”
French raider Daylight is another filly to watch in the Cheveley Park Stakes, with punters showing interest in her after her impressive performance in the Prix Morny. Trained by Pauline Chehboub of Gousserie Racing, Daylight is expected to excel on a testing surface and is poised to deliver a strong run in the race.
Lake Victoria, trained by Aidan O’Brien, is also a contender in the Cheveley Park Stakes, despite her unbeaten record being hard to predict in this competitive field. O’Brien’s decision to send Lake Victoria down in trip to six furlongs for this race adds an element of intrigue, as the Cheveley Park Stakes typically favors future Guineas types and middle-distance fillies over sprinters.
Can Whistlejacket Tough it Out in Middle Park?
Whistlejacket, the only colt in the Middle Park field to have contested a Group 1 race, is a strong contender in the upcoming race. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Whistlejacket showed his mettle by winning the Prix Morny, and his form on soft ground makes him a formidable competitor in the Middle Park Stakes.
Despite some defeats at shorter odds in previous races, Whistlejacket’s performance in the Prix Morny solidified his reputation as a top-class colt. His trainer, Aidan O’Brien, expressed confidence in Whistlejacket’s abilities, stating, “Whistlejacket has form on soft ground, so we’ll see how he gets on. We were delighted with him in the Prix Morny the last day, and he seems to be in good form since.”
Whistlejacket’s victory in the Prix Morny has positioned him as a strong contender in the Middle Park Stakes, where he will face a field that lacks the same level of competition as in previous years. His resilience and form make him a top pick for punters looking for a standout performer in the upcoming race.
Other Contenders and Expectations
In addition to Babouche, Daylight, and Lake Victoria, other contenders in the Cheveley Park Stakes include Shadow Of Light, Defence Minister, and Dash Dizzy. Trained by top trainers and owned by prominent racing establishments, these fillies are expected to deliver competitive performances in the highly-anticipated race.
Trainer Charlie Appleby expressed confidence in Shadow Of Light’s abilities, stating, “Shadow Of Light was an intended runner at Newbury last week, but we gave that a swerve after the ground turned heavy. Conditions could be on the slower side again here, although a bit of ease wouldn’t be a concern. He has come forward since York and should be a contender at this level.”
As the Cheveley Park Stakes draws near, racing fans and punters alike are eagerly anticipating the showdown between the top fillies in the field. With a mix of seasoned contenders and up-and-coming stars, the race promises to be a thrilling spectacle that showcases the best of 2-year-old fillies in the sport.
