Newmarket Saturday

Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1)

THE betting for the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes was rather lopsided, with the unbeaten Native Trail dominating the market before being sent off as a strong 5/6 favourite, and he justified the short odds with a top-class display, despite doing only the minimum asked of him.

Tracking the enterprisingly ridden Dubawi Legend (Hugo Palmer/James Doyle) in the first half of the race, William Buick manoeuvred Charlie Appleby’s colt out of that rival’s slipstream over a furlong out, and he ran the leader down in the last half furlong to win by a comfortable two lengths.

Bayside Boy (Roger Varian/David Egan) ran on from the rear to grab third, beaten another half a length. Straight Answer was disappointing, the Ger Lyons-trained runner well placed until the final quarter mile, but he found little for pressure and dropped out to be last.

Native Trail heads to winter quarters as the justified favourite for the 2000 Guineas, and his strong finish would suggest there is even more to come from him at a mile.

He also has the demeanour of a Guineas winner, very relaxed in the preliminaries, and tending to race slightly behind the bridle until shaken up.

His trainer believes he’s still learning, and will progress mentally as well as physically over the winter:

“He’s a big boy, 540 kilos, and came in at that weight from the breeze-ups. Full credit to the team who purchased him, and Norman Williamson who consigned him.

“Norman said after the National Stakes he still didn’t know what he was doing – and he was correct, because his work at home wasn’t too exciting, but he warms into a race and does it the right way round.

“I’ve never put him anywhere near Coroebus at home – they are different types. Coroebus travels very well and has a smart turn of foot, whereas this horse does things in a different manner.”