Charlie Appleby seeks flying start in the Zetland with promising Godolphin pair

Saturday: 1.45 Newmarket
Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Could this be the first of three consecutive juvenile Group-race wins for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby?

No trainer has ever won the Zetland, Autumn and Dewhurst in the same year since they moved to Future Champions Day in 2015. The markets indicate there is a strong possibility that may change.

Early betting shows Appleby has a 56 per cent chance of winning this race with stablemates Hafit and Goldspur heading the market, who were both extremely impressive on their debuts. Not much can be derived from jockey bookings with William Buick and James Doyle retaining their respective mounts.

Goldspur achieved a 3lb higher rating (95) on debut compared to Hafit (92), but the latter has improved 8lb with a creditable effort when runner-up to the promising Triple Time. Appleby will hope he exits the Zetland with another 2022 Cazoo Derby contender.

There doesn't appear to be much strength in depth in the opposition. Galileo colt Bluegrass shaped nicely on his debut and justified favouritism at the Curragh in August (87 RPR) but may find the step up to 1m2f stiffer than the Godolphin-owned pair. He's a son of star sprinter Quiet Reflection and showed an abundance of speed last time.

Bluegrass (left) wins at the Curragh under Seamus Heffernan in AugustCredit: Caroline Norris

Unconquerable, who is rated just 3lb inferior of Hafit, improved for each start this year but was readily brushed aside by Royal Lodge one-two Royal Patronage and Coroebus last time, while the Richard Hannon-trained Dukebox hasn't progressed since his spring victories.

Berkshire Rebel, who looked in need of a stiffer test when he got up on the line over a mile on his debut, should be well suited by 1m2f and can be excused his Epsom defeat in a tactically run race. It could be another Appleby versus Balding showdown – but the former is likely to come out on top.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Oisin Murphy, rider of Berkshire Rebel
He's a horse I like as he tries very hard and looks like he'll be suited to going up in trip. It's a tough race but I expect him to run well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Bluegrass
He improved nicely between his first two runs and we thought this would be a good experience for him with a view towards next year.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Dukebox and Foden
It's a tough race and both are up in trip but Dukebox looked as if he may get further when third over a mile in a Listed race at Haydock last time. Foden is taking an even bigger jump up in trip but wasn't stopping when seventh in a sales race there last week and we know he handles the track.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Hafit and Goldspur
We are looking forward to stepping up to a mile and a quarter with Hafit, which should suit based on his pedigree, as well as getting him back on a softer surface. It was very quick at Haydock but conditions at Newmarket should be much more to his liking. Goldspur had a blip on his last intended start at Epsom when he had to be withdrawn after getting upset at the start but he passed a stalls test earlier in the week. He is a horse we are still learning about and we will hopefully be a lot wiser after this.

Kevin Philippart de Foy, trainer of Knight Rider
It's a tough race but we feel he will enjoy the step up in trip as we have always thought he is a mile-and-a-quarter horse.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

2.20 Newmarket: 'We know more about him now' - can speedy Coroebus last home in Autumn Stakes?

2.55 Newmarket: 'He has sharpened up again' - Charlie Appleby full of confidence in Native Trail

3.15 York: O'Meara full of hope as Gulliver bids for treble tops in Coral Sprint Trophy

3.30 Chepstow: Can Nicholls extend record in first valuable handicap hurdle of season?

3.35 Newmarket: Six of the best for Mullins as he bids for fourth consecutive Cesarewitch

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