With top-class flat racing returning to Newmarket’s famed Rowley Mile later this month for the thrilling Cambridgeshire Meeting, which boasts seven Group races across the course of the three days, there is still plenty to get excited about before the season’s finale on British Champions Day at Ascot in October.
The final day of the festival hosts two Group 1 races, the Cheveley Park Stakes and the Middle Park Stakes, before the showpiece event, the Cambridgeshire Handicap, the first leg of the historic Autumn Double, takes place later in the afternoon. So, with crowds back to roar the horses up The Rowley Mile, read on as we take a look at the favorites in the horse racing odds for the Middle Park Stakes, many of which could go on to compete in next year’s 2000 Guineas…
Perfect Power – 7/2
Perfect Power has had a fantastic maiden season. After finishing third on his debut at Newcastle in May, the two-year-old won back-to-back races at Hamilton and Royal Ascot, where the Richard Fahey-trained horse was the surprise winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes from 14/1. Disappointing at the same level in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, finishing a fifth of seven, Perfect Power bounced back with a Group 1 victory in the Prix Morny – Finale des Darley Series, and it’s the kind of form that should see him romp home in this race.
Armor – 5/1
Armor has been a bit of a mixed bag this season. The Richard Hannon-trained two-year-old won his debut in a Maiden Stakes at Doncaster but then was fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. With Ryan Moore back in the saddle, he landed a victory in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. However, with Pat Dobbs returning for his next outing at Deauville, he could fare no better than fourth as Perfect Power stormed home in first. If Moore takes the reins at Newmarket, he could have more of a chance of glory, and will certainly gain more momentum in the horse racing betting tips.
Dr. Zempf – 11/2
The Middle Park Stakes will be just the fourth race of Dr. Zempf’s career. So far, the Ger Lyons-trained horse has only been seen at the Curragh Racecourse in Ireland, where he has won just one of his first three races, his debut back in June. Most recently, he was second to Ebro River in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes, for Colts and Fillies, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to racing at this level on British soil. We could see him at the Curragh once more, where he is an early closure for the Group 1 National Stakes before he heads over to Newmarket.
Lusail – 6/1
Another from Hannon’s yard, Lusail has looked very impressive this season. He won his debut, a Maiden Stakes at York from 28/1, and after finishing third in his second race, Lusail has won three successive outings, including the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket and the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. With two wins already in the bag at this racecourse, Lusail could be a good outside bet for the Middle Park Stakes, and certainly can’t be written off.
