2023 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster: assessing the top contenders for Saturday's big race
The Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes (2.10 Doncaster, Saturday) takes place this weekend and a talented group of juveniles look set to take their chance in the final British Group 1 of the season. Here we go through the form of the leading contenders and produce an early verdict on who will come out on top.
Diego Velazquez
Form: 11
Strengths: He was purchased for 2.4 million guineas as a yearling and is from a family that includes Group 1 winner Broome and Group 2 winner Point Lonsdale.
He was sent off an odds-on shot for his debut in a Curragh maiden in August and he justified the market support with a comfortable four-and-three-quarter-length success.
He was stepped up to Group 2 level at the Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown last time out and, again odds-on, battled to a half-length success over his front-running stablemate Capulet. He should stay further than a mile on that showing, so will benefit from this turning into a test of stamina.
Weaknesses: He was not visually impressive at Leopardstown and on Racing Post Ratings others in this field have achieved more.
Odds: 6-4
What they say
Aidan O'Brien, trainer: "Diego is in good form and this race has been the plan for him ever since Leopardstown. Everyone seems to be very happy with him."
Ancient Wisdom
Form: 1131
Strengths: He was purchased for €2 million as a yearling and looked a potentially smart sort when justifying favouritism in a Haydock novice on his debut in June, running out a five-length winner despite his jockey dropping his whip in the final furlong.
He could finish only third when sent off the 7-4 favourite for a Listed contest at Ascot in July, but that form now looks very strong with the winner, Rosallion, and sixth, Sunway, both Group 1 winners and the second, fourth and fifth all successful at Listed level or above since.
He was given a short break after Ascot and reappeared with an impressive three-and-three-quarter-length victory in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month. He has a pronounced knee action and therefore soft ground is presumably important to him.
Weaknesses: This is a relatively quick turnaround (14 days) from his win at Newmarket.
Odds: 7-4
What they say
Charlie Appleby, trainer: "The ground is looking like it will be soft at Doncaster and I feel like he's going to be a very strong contender. He has obviously done well for the break that he had after Ascot. Physically he's done very well from then until now."
Dancing Gemini
Form: 2511
Strengths: Has taken a big step forward on RPRs in each of his four starts to date, being beaten in a Salisbury maiden on debut and finishing fifth in the Listed race at Ascot in which Ancient Wisdom was third before winning his last two starts.
His trainer Roger Teal waxed lyrical about him after his victory at Newbury in August, and he backed up the praise with an authoritative four-and-a-quarter-length success in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes over 7f at this track last month.
That course success came on officially soft ground, and he hit the line hard, suggesting that he won't have any issues with the step up to a mile.
Weaknesses: He has around ten lengths to find with Ancient Wisdom on their running at Ascot, and the form of his Flying Scotsman win has been let down by the second and fifth since.
Odds: 5-1
What they say
Roger Teal, trainer: "He seems very well at home. Lewis [Edmunds, jockey] came to sit on him last week and he was absolutely delighted with him. Everything seems to be good, everyone seems to be happy and he's ready to go."
Capulet
Form: 123
Strengths: A son of Justify who is the fifth foal out of Group 2 winner Wedding Vow, herself a sister to 2020 Derby winner Serpentine.
He kept on well for pressure to land a Dundalk maiden on his debut in August, and then almost caused an upset when pipped by stablemate Diego Velazquez at the Irish Champions Festival.
He was sent off the 7-4 favourite for the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket last time out and he rallied to finish third having lost his pitch two furlongs out. The greater stamina test on offer here looks certain to suit on that evidence, while a formline through the second, Al Musmak, suggests he is quite closely matched with Ancient Wisdom.
Weaknesses: His recent form has come on a sounder surface and runners by his sire, Justify, are currently 0-6 on officially heavy ground.
Odds: 10-1
God's Window
Form: 1
Strengths: He was sent off the 4-1 co-favourite for a maiden over this course and distance on his debut last month and justified the market support with a three-quarter-length win.
He showed a good attitude there on what was described as soft ground and looked value for further than the winning margin.
He comes into this race less exposed than his main market rivals and the John and Thady Gosden stable had previously won that Doncaster maiden with Israr, who turned out to be a Group performer.
Weaknesses: This is a big step up in class from Doncaster and that form has received mixed results since (third beaten at odds of 1-5 next time out).
Odds: 10-1
Verdict
Preference goes to Ancient Wisdom, who comes into this with a record of three wins from four starts, his only defeat when third to subsequent Group 1 winner Rosallion in a Listed contest at Ascot in July. Charlie Appleby's colt showcased a pronounced knee action when landing the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in impressive fashion last time out, and the trainer's decision to turn him out again quickly can be vindicated with a first Group 1 success.
Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes (2.45 Saturday, Doncaster)
Skybet: Evs Diego Velazquez, 15-8 Ancient Wisdom, 9-2 Dancing Gemini, 10-1 God's Window, Capulet, 25 Redhot Whisper, 30 bar
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