15:35 Doncaster

Saturday 22 October 2022

All13:2013:5514:3015:0015:3516:1016:45

Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (Str)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 1m 44.76s

(6)

Auguste Rodin⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| D

9/4

Unlucky on debut and has made no mistake in his 2 outings since, latterly producing a smart performance to win a 1m Leopardstown Group 2. Top prospect with more to come and leading claims for trainer seeking a remarkable eleventh success in this race.

Form: 211

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(1)

Captain Wierzba²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett

40/1

Won a Ffos Las novice over an extended 7f in August. 11/1, didn't get the chance to show what he could do pitched into a 1m Group 3 at Saint-Cloud 5 weeks later, with his jockey shoved out of the side door before halfway.

Form: 21U

(3)

Dancing Magic¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: R A Teal| OR: 106

14/1

Yet to win but has achieved useful form, finishing second in a Haydock listed before fourth (Epictetus second, Holloway Boy third) in Newmarket Group 3. More a place than win contender.

Form: 4224

(7)

Epictetus¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111

3/1

Kingman colt who made a winning start to his career in a strong 7f maiden at the Newmarket July meeting. Confirmed he's a really good prospect when neck second to Silver Knott in a 1m Group 3 on the Rowley course there 3 months later. Definitely more to come and the chief threat to Auguste Rodin.

Form: 12

(5)

Holloway Boy^v1¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: K R Burke| OR: 109| BF

9/2

Sprung a 40/1 surprise in the Chesham at Royal Ascot on debut and has shown that was no fluke with placed efforts at pattern level on his 3 outings since. Epictetus was 1¾ lengths ahead of him in a Newmarket Group 3 last time, though, so he'll need to pull out more for a first-time visor.

Form: 1223

(2)

King Of Steel¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: D Loughnane| D

12/1

Fast-tracked to Group 1 level after an impressive debut success at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) 10 days ago. Open to considerable improvement and not to be underestimated.

Form: 1

(8)

Salt Lake City¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| D

7/1

Disappointed in the Convivial maiden at the York Ebor meeting but quickly back on track when a 5-length winner over 1m at Navan 17 days ago. Auguste Rodin has to be considered the stable first string but this son of Galileo should have more to offer.

Form: 201

(4)

Stormbuster³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 99| D

7/1

Second in a 1m Salisbury listed before producing a useful effort to get off the mark in a 1m Newbury novice last month. This demands a fair bit more but he may be up to it.

Form: 3321

Forecasts

Auguste Rodin (9/4), Epictetus (3/1), Holloway Boy (9/2), Salt Lake City (7/1), Stormbuster (7/1), King Of Steel (12/1), Dancing Magic (14/1), Captain Wierzba (40/1)

Aidan O'Brien currently shares a record 10 wins in this final Group 1 of the British season with the late Sir Henry Cecil but can move out on his own courtesy of AUGUSTE RODIN, who looked very good in Group 2 company at Leopardstown last time. Epictetus is a similarly exciting prospect and is clear second choice. Impressive Nottingham maiden winner King of Steel may prove best of the rest.