Arapaho Gold aims to extend unbeaten run at Newbury’s Mill Reef Stakes

Sky Sports Racing presents a full card of flat racing action on Saturday, featuring events at Chester, Newcastle, and Newbury. The feature race of the day is the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, where the unbeaten juvenile Arapaho Gold looks to continue his winning streak.

Trained by Michael Dods, Arapaho Gold enters the contest off a perfect four-start record, highlighted by a victory in the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes at York. That performance has since been validated, as the horse who finished second in that race has himself won since, suggesting strong form. Despite carrying a three-pound penalty, Arapaho Gold is considered the one to beat.

Andrew Balding’s Jolivette heads the main dangers, ridden by Colin Keane. As the only filly in the field, she produced her best performance to date when finishing third behind Libertango at York and remains capable of improvement. Cut A Dash, who finished fourth in the Coventry Stakes, is yet to prove that form, while Charlie Appleby’s Nabati, who ran third in the Flying Scotsman, could benefit from dropping back to six furlongs.

Earlier on the Newbury card, the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at 1:02 pm features a clash between Redorange and Starlust. Clive Cox’s Redorange, riding high after winning the Listed City Walls at York, benefits from the mount of Callum Rodriguez and faces a favorable assignment following a heavy defeat in the Nunthorpe. Starlust, the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner, has not secured a victory this campaign but has been running well, finishing second in the Nunthorpe and fourth at the Curragh, making this Group Three race an ideal opportunity to claim top honors.

Also at Newbury, the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup sees progressive runner Primo Lara take on French Duke. Jane Chapple-Hyam’s five-year-old has adapted well to his new yard, winning two of three starts since joining from Jack Morland, with Ryan Moore booked for the ride. French Duke, fresh off an excellent second at York, is expected to be dangerous despite being raised in weight. Alan King’s Insanity drops in class after a previous run, while Pearl River carries a featherweight and offers each-way value.

Elsewhere on the British circuit, Chester hosts Impulsive Spirit, who drops in class after a Group Three attempt, and Newcastle sees Haggas’ Weffaag seeking his first success. In France, Group Three action at Chantilly features runners from trainers Graffard, Meehan, Burke, and Amy Murphy, who saddles Magna Grace.

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