'It can play to his strengths' - Zetland test expected to suit Flying Honours

Saturday: 1.50 Newmarket
Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 2yo | ITV/RTV

Flying Honours went into the Royal Lodge at this course last month as a red-hot 2-7 favourite but ended the race with his reputation in tatters after losing out by half a length in third to The Foxes.

That was initially disappointing, but a Racing Post Rating of 107 suggests he ran right up to his best and was just beaten by two smart individuals on the day. We will see if that assessment proves correct now he tackles this Group 3.

The biggest dangers are probably lurking among the unexposed runners as those who have contested Group races haven't excelled when doing so.

Blanchland thrashed six rivals in a mile maiden at Newcastle a couple of weeks ago and Jane Chapple-Hyam has enjoyed her fair share of success at Newmarket. She has saddled more winners (18) at both courses than at any other track in Britain.

Galactic Jack is another who could take a big step forward. He is by Galileo out of a mare who stayed a mile and quarter, so it is no surprise he was suited by 1m2f when successful in a Goodwood maiden last time.

Batemans Bay is a son of New Bay whose progeny have an excellent record on the Rowley Mile.

The Ralph Beckett-trained colt was impressive when scoring over a mile at Haydock last time and had previously finished behind Dewhurst favourite Nostrum on his debut at Sandown.

There should be more to come from him in a race where there are evidently a number of potential improvers.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Flying Honours ready for takeoff

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin are out to win successive runnings of the juvenile staying feature with Flying Honours after the triumph of stablemate Goldspur a year ago.

Since the 1m2f stamina test was first moved to its new slot in 2016, it has been won by subsequent Group 1 scorers Coronet that year and Kew Gardens (2017), and Flying Honours is a short price to join the roll of honour.

The Godolphin homebred has a bit to prove as he was turned over at odds of 2-7 in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes a fortnight ago, but he may well have had excuses.

Appleby said: "Flying Honours broke his maiden well and then went on to win nicely at Listed level at Salisbury. He was disappointing on his last run in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, but for me it was a messy race.

"Unfortunately there was no pace and William Buick said afterwards that he would have loved to have gone on and made the running ourselves, but for a young horse looking at middle-distances next year we didn't want him up the front and having horses run at him.

"In doing so, unfortunately nobody wanted to go forward so it ended up a dash to the finish. Being by Sea The Stars and out of a Dubawi mare, that was never going to suit him and we expect this step up in trip to play to his strengths."

What they say

Sean Woods, trainer of Band Of Steel
He ran a lovely debut then struggled on very soft ground at Goodwood on his second start. It was good to see him get his head in front on the all-weather last time and he's bred for this sort of trip so we're hopeful of a good showing before he's put away for 2023.

Alex Elliott, racing manager to Valmont, part-owners of Batemans Bay
Ralph Beckett has targeted him at this race ever since he won at Haydock last time. He should enjoy the trip and the ground and should be a nice middle-distance horse for next year.

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Blanchland
It's a hot race but he's in very good order and he seems to have improved since his win at Newcastle. I expect him to be suited by the step up to a mile and a quarter from a mile.

Charlie Johnston, joint-trainer of Dear My Friend and Tenerife Sunshine
Both have chances in what looks like a good renewal. Dear My Friend should be suited by the trip as should Tenerife Sunshine who won at the track last time over a mile and will be a nice mile and a half prospect next year.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Liftoff
She was not beaten far last time by Blue Rose Cen, who went on to win the Prix Marcel Boussac in France, and shapes as if this step up to a mile and a quarter will play to her strengths.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read our Saturday previews:

2.25 Newmarket: can Appleby and Buick springboard another star in the Autumn Stakes?

3.00 Newmarket: 'This has always been the plan' – trainers on the day's Group 1

3.15 York: 'This is a nice prize' – key trainer quotes for valuable sprint handicap at York

3.40 Newmarket: 'She's had the exact same programme as Buzz' – can Henderson win the Ces again?

4.02 Chepstow: 'He's been working nicely' – find out who is expecting a big Silver Trophy run

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