13:50 Newmarket

Saturday 8 October 2022

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:20

Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 13:50 | Winning time: 2m 2.53s

(7)

Band Of Steel²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: S Woods| OR: 85

50/1

Still very raw when off the mark at the third attempt in AW maiden last month and this sort of test probably comes too soon for him.

Form: 251

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(4)

Batemans Bay⁶⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett

7/1

Shaped like a stayer on debut and duly improved for the extra 1f when winning Haydock novice in August. This trip will suit and type to progress again.

Form: 51

(2)

Blanchland¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 87

12/1

Getting better with each run, off the mark at the third attempt in Newcastle maiden 2 weeks ago, well on top finish. Will stay 1¼m and is sure to progress further. Interesting.

Form: 621

(9)

Dear My Friend⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102

11/2

Pivotal colt who won novices at Carlisle (6f) and Beverley (7.4f) first 2 starts. Better form in defeat since, racing keenly when fifth in Vintage Stakes at Goodwood before good third in listed event at Deauville. Yard has won this a record 5 times so must be respected.

Form: 1153

(6)

Flying Honours¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 108| BF

10/11

Confirmed debut promise when wide-margin winner of Sandown novice. Quickly settled things when following up in listed event at Salisbury before a close third in a messy Royal Lodge here 2 weeks ago. Sets a clear standard and likely to stay.

Form: 4113

(5)

Galactic Jack¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| D

9/1

Stepped up on debut when winning 9-runner maiden at Goodwood (9.9f, good, 2/1) 17 days ago with bit in hand. Stamina assured but bare form needs improving upon.

Form: 31

(1)

Metal Merchant²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: M R Channon| OR: 84

18/1

Progressing well, following up novice AW win when scoring with plenty in hand on nursery debut at Ayr 3 weeks ago. Likely to stay and not taken lightly.

Form: 0511

(3)

Tenerife Sunshine¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| C

40/1

All the better for debut when narrow winner of 1m maiden here 16 days ago. Bare form is ordinary, however, and probably more of a long-term prospect.

Form: 81

(8)

Liftoff³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93

14/1

Proved much sharper for debut when running out a good winner of Newbury novice (7f) back in June. Made light work of her penalty in 3-runner event at Yarmouth before not disgraced in Group 3 at Longchamp (won by subsequent Prix Marcel Boussac winner Blue Rose Cen). Bred to stay and considered.

Form: 6115

Forecasts

Flying Honours (10/11), Dear My Friend (11/2), Batemans Bay (7/1), Galactic Jack (9/1), Blanchland (12/1), Liftoff (14/1), Metal Merchant (18/1), Tenerife Sunshine (40/1), Band Of Steel (50/1)

FLYING HONOURS is the standout on form, failing to land the odds in the Royal Lodge here 2 weeks ago but not beaten far in a race that developed into a 2f sprint, and the son of Sea The Stars is taken to make amends with the emphasis more on stamina. Dear My Friend's French form reads well so is next best for a yard that has won this 5 times, while the progressive Metal Merchant makes each-way appeal at bigger odds.