The Flat Is Back At Newbury With The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting

The first Flat meeting of the year at Newbury Racecourse- The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Meeting-features the Group 3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes as well as the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (The John Porter Stakes) and the Dubai Duty Free Stakes (The Fred Darling Stakes). With a three-week gap between Newbury’s opening Flat fixture and The Betfred Guineas Festival, many Classic hopefuls will be having a prep run at the Berkshire track across the two-day meeting on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th April.

The 2025 renewal of the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes will this year be run for an increased total prize fund of £100,000. Of the 16 strong entries for the seven-furlong contest, nine hold entries in the Betfred 2,000 Guineas in three-week’s time. Featured amongst those putting their Classic credentials to the test include Solario Stakes winner, Field Of Gold (J&T Gosden). The son of Kingman is one of three entered in the race for Juddmonte who also have Jonquil (A.Balding) and Cosmic Year (H.Charlton), both of whom also hold 2,000 Guineas entries. Narrowly beaten in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at the end of last season, Brian Meehan’s Coventry Stakes winner, Rashabar, could line up on Saturday before a tilt at Classic glory. Godolphin have a trio of entries with Al Qudra, Anno Domini and Hallasan from the Charlie Appleby yard.

The meeting also features a Classic trial for the fillies with the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (The Fred Darling Stakes). The seven-furlong contest has attracted twenty-three entries. Aidan O’Brien could be dually represented with Chesham Stakes winner, Bedtime Story, and Group 3 Weld Park Stakes winner, Heaven’s Gate, both holding entries in the race. Unbeaten in two starts in Meydan this winter including victory in the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas, Mountain Breeze, could be Godolphin’s sole representative in the race. Also featured amongst the entries include Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes runner up Simmering (O.Sangster), Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes winner, Arabian Dusk (S & E. Crisford) and Group 2 Lowther Stakes runner up, Time For Sandals (H.Eustace).

Nine hold entries in the 1m4f Duty Dubai Free Finest Surprise Stakes (The John Porter Stakes), headed by the David Menuisier trained Sunway, runner up in the 2024 Irish Derby. Fresh from landing the 1-2-3 in the Aintree Grand National, Willie Mullins could be represented at Newbury by Absurde, last seen finishing third in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Charlie Appleby has two entered in the race including 2024 Dante runner up, Ancient Wisdom and Arabian Crown, last seen finishing fourth in the Dubai City of Gold in Meydan. Bellum Justum hasn’t run since winning the Nashville Derby Invitational Stakes at Kentucky Downs in August 2024 but could be one of two runners for trainer Andrew Balding alongside new recruit, Divina Grace.

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