Nine Remain In Contention For The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes

Nine two-year-olds remain in contention for the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2) (In honour of Ian Balding) at Newbury Racecourse. Run over six furlongs and worth an increased total prize fund of £175,000, the contest is the feature race of the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend and is to take place on Saturday 19 September.

The unbeaten Arapaho Gold heads the market for Michael Dods and would carry top weight of 9st 6lb. The gelding arrives on the back of his victory in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York, which was his fourth win from four starts, following two successes at Thirsk and a Listed victory in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury.

Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, successful in the race 12 months ago with Words Of Truth, could bid to follow up with Nabati. The Night Of Thunder colt finished second to Arapaho Gold, beaten a neck, in the Rose Bowl Stakes, and has since returned to winning ways at Newmarket before taking third in the Listed Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes.

Hugo Palmer’s Adaay of Scarlett finished second to Great Barrier Reef in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and again took the runner-up spot behind Man’s Best Friend in the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood. He was well beaten on his last two starts but will be hoping to make the leap to the next level here.

Richard Hannon could be represented by Cut A Dash, owned by Denford Stud. The colt made a winning debut at York in May and went on to finish fourth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Also among the current line up are Kevin Ryan’s Matteo, Karl Burke’s Revels and Social Symbol, who goes forward for Simon and Ed Crisford in the colours of Rabbah Racing.

Fittingly, Andrew Balding – son of the man the race honours – could be represented by Juddmonte’s Jolivette, who was third in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York last time out. The field is completed by Mr Macartney for the up-and-coming Oli Rix, who would be seeking a first Group success.

Declarations are to be made by 10am on Thursday 17 September.

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