Arapaho Gold to test unbeaten record in open Mill Reef Stakes
The four-time winner faces a three-pound penalty and a competitive field including Jolivette in the Group Two contest at Newbury.
Arapaho Gold is set to defend his unbeaten record in the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, aiming for a fifth consecutive victory. The Michael Dods-trained juvenile arrives having won all four of his starts to date, with a highlight performance coming in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York. Despite carrying a three-pound penalty for that success, the horse is expected to prove difficult to beat in what is described as an open edition of the race.
Andrew Balding’s Jolivette is identified as the primary danger in the line-up. The sole filly in the field produced her best effort yet when finishing third behind Libertango at York, and she remains capable of further improvement. Other notable contenders include Cut A Dash, who finished fourth in the Coventry Stakes but has yet to confirm that form, and Nabati, a live contender for Charlie Appleby who could be suited by the dip back to six furlongs.
The Mill Reef Stakes is the headline feature of a busy day of flat racing, with events also taking place at Chester and Newcastle. The programme is broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing, offering a comprehensive look at the current form of top-class juveniles and older horses across the United Kingdom.
In the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes, Redorange is set to face Starlust. Clive Cox’s Redorange, who won the Listed City Walls at York in July, is given leading claims under new pilot Callum Rodriguez. Starlust, the winner of the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, has not won since that victory but has placed second in the Nunthorpe and fourth at the Curragh, suggesting he remains a serious threat in the Group Three contest.
The Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup features a competitive matchup between Primo Lara and French Duke. Primo Lara, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, has been in fine form since joining her stable from Jack Morland, winning at Kempton with Ryan Moore in the saddle. French Duke ran his best race in some time when finishing second at York last time out, and is expected to make another bold bid.
Additional races on the card include events at Chantilly and Belmont, with various British interests represented. The day’s racing provides a broad snapshot of the autumn season, with key Group races and competitive handicaps scheduled across multiple venues.
