Thursday sees the 2024 edition of the excellent Cambridgeshire Meeting kick into gear at Newmarket. Spread over three days, the action from HQ is headlined by the big-field titular handicap, which takes place on Saturday afternoon.
Away from the main event, this much-anticipated meeting includes 10 contests rated at Listed level or above – five of which are restricted to the emerging two-year-old talent. Regularly providing an early sight of a future superstar, the quintet of juvenile events feature high on the autumn wish lists of the leading yards – none more so than the Ballydoyle operation of Aidan O’Brien.
In the days leading up to the meeting, O’Brien has no fewer than 27 youngsters entered in the events rated at Listed level and up. Not all will run, but here we pick out seven of the most intriguing contenders set to be put through their paces on the Rowley Mile.
Rockfel Stakes, Friday, 27th September
Heavens Gate
This daughter of the dual 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill has performed consistently well all season – winning two of six starts and only once finishing outside the placed positions. Third in the Albany Stakes and Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes, her latest effort saw her finish fourth in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes at York. Given her pedigree, it would be no surprise to see her step up in trip, but she sticks to six furlongs here and won’t need much improvement to go close.
Ballet Slippers
Another possible contender for the Rockfel Stakes is this daughter of super sire Dubawi and the prolific Group 1 winning mare, Magical. Pedigrees don’t come too much more appealing than that, and this one arrives on an upward curve, having broken her duck at the third time of asking in a Novice event at Ascot last time.
Royal Lodge Stakes, Saturday, 28th September
Acapulco Bay
With eight wins in the Royal Lodge Stakes, O’Brien needs just one more to draw level with all-time leader Noel Murless. Leading the charge in 2024 is this son of Dubawi and the Galileo mare Je Ne Regretterien. A big eyecatcher when second on debut, Acapulco Bay stepped up to break his maiden at the Curragh on the final day of August. Still showing signs of inexperience that day, there should be plenty more to come from this good-looking chestnut.
Puppet Master
By 2,000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot and out of the Group 3 winner mare Realtra, Puppet Master boasts a very similar profile to Acapulco Bay. Also in need of the outing when keeping on well for second on his first outing, he ran right way with a Miden contest at Galway next time out. This one looked to have a touch of class in the closing stages that day, and it will be intriguing to see how he copes with this sharp rise in class.
Cheveley Park Stakes, Saturday, 28th September
Lake Victoria
If O’Brien lands the 2024 edition of this Group 1 affair, he will move ahead of Alec Taylor, Jr. and Criquette Head-Maarek to become the most successful trainer in the history of the race. The Ballydoyle maestro has five entered at the time of writing, with this Frankel filly the clear pick on form. Unbeaten in three starts to date, Lake Victoria already boasts a Group 1 success courtesy of her excellent win in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. With the Ger Lyons-trained Babouche – also three from three with a Group 1 win – among the opposition, the Cheveley Park Stakes is set to provide a mouthwatering head-to-head clash.
Middle Park Stakes, Saturday, 28th September
Whistlejacket
O’Brien’s stellar record at this fixture extends to the big Group 1 for the juvenile colts. Already the trainer with the most victories in the Middle Park Stakes, he sends a strong two-pronged attack into battle in 2024. Topping the pile, and favourite across the board, is Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket. Proven at the top level and versatile regarding the ground, this precocious sort may take some stopping.
Ides Of March
If there is a runner in the field to match Whistlejacket for speed, it may be his stablemate Ides Of March. Slower to come to hand than his compatriot, this son of Wootton Bassett exploded into life on his third start to slam Monumental by three lengths at the Curragh. With that colt since finishing a close second in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes, the form looks solid, and Ides Of March enhanced his reputation with a blistering display in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes last time.
