Son of Dubawi and Persuasive among highlights at Newmarket on Wednesday

Strong Opinion

Newmarket, 2.25, Wednesday, Racing Welfare Novice Stakes 

What's the story? 

A seven-figure acquisition from Tattersalls Book 1 last year when selling to Godolphin from Cheveley Park Stud for 1,000,000gns, Strong Opinion lines up in an often informative race. It is one that has thrown up high-class performers such as Claymore (2021), Mutasaabeq (2020) and Bell Rock (2018) in recent years. 

How is he bred?

The two-year-old is the third foal out of Cheveley Park's star Persuasive, a daughter of Dark Angel and Choose Me. 

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner is a half-sister to the ill-fated Creative Force, a son of Dubawi whose victories included the British Champions Sprint Stakes in 2021, as well as Listed winner and Group-placed Tisbutadream, by Dream Ahead. 

Her first two foals, both by Frankel, are winners. Theoryofeverything was third in the Greenham Stakes this year in the colours of Prince Faisal, while Cheveley Park's Persist is a dual winner and was also fourth in a Listed event at Goodwood this year.

Who does he face?

Strong Opinion's rivals include another well-bred colt in Coolmore homebred Trident, a No Nay Never half-brother to Australian champion Zoustar. 

Another is Reveal, Julian Richmond-Watson's homebred Oasis Dream half-brother to Fred Darling Stakes winner and Coronation Stakes second Remarquee, who was sold to Wathnan Racing this term. 

Other notables on the day

The British Stallion Studs EBF Future Stayers Novice Stakes (4.45) is another contest with plenty of well-bred individuals making their debuts. One such runner is Harper's Ferry, a Lope De Vega colt out of Oaks heroine Talent and a half-brother to Prix Corrida winner and Prix Jean Romanet second Ambition. 

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Temple City is by Kingman and out of Emirates Queen, a Group 2-winning Street Cry half-sister to the great Dubawi. She has also produced this year's Wolferton Stakes winner and Canadian International Stakes runner-up Royal Champion and Listed winner and Group 2-placed Outbox.

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