British Spot Plays: Newmarket for Oct. 11

October 10th, 2025

With British Champions Day around the corner, Newmarket wraps up its two-year-old festival on Saturday with a trio of Group stakes devoted to juveniles. The featured Dewhurst (G1) over seven furlongs promises to be a cracking renewal.

Admittedly, it's been a tough season for the British bankroll. It currently stands at $244.50. As always, I'll be wagering 5% of the outstanding balance to win on the following plays, with the first bet a $12 one. 

Race 2: Zetland (G3), 8:50 a.m. ET

Britain's longest Group stakes for two-year-olds is this one, run over a straight 1 1/4 miles. Coolmore and Aidan O'Brien have the early favorite in Endorsement, but it's their second entry, #7 Pierre Bonnard (8-1), that catches the eye.

Although he's currently trading at less than half the morning line price mentioned above, Pierre Bonnard might still offer value. He appeared to gain much from his debut on the grass in late July, rebounding from that fourth-place effort to win convincingly over an all-weather surface at Dundalk.

By Camelot and out of Nassau (G1) heroine Sultanina, this extended trip figures to be no problem for Pierre Bonnard. Whether he is good enough is worth taking a shot to find out, with Christophe Soumillon getting the mount.

Race 3: Autumn (G3), 9:25 a.m. ET

I'll go to the well again with O'Brien/Soumillon in this one-mile heat. #7 Straight Up (3-1) obviously relished the bottomless ground at Listowell less than three weeks ago when taking his debut by three lengths, but looks a youngster of some substance who can hopefully hold his own on much faster going here.

By the recently departed Wootton Bassett, Straight Up is a full sister to Yorkshire Oaks (G1) winner Tapestry, and both were reared by juvenile champion Rumplestiltskin. All descend from the brilliant Miesque.

Race 4: Dewhurst (G1), 10 a.m. ET

I've missed wedding after wedding with #9 Zavateri (3-1) this year: 18-1 in the July (G2), 8-1 in the Vintage (G2), and 7-1 in the Vincent O'Brien National (G1). If the Dewhurst proves to be the proverbial funeral, so be it.

One thing Zavateri has is guts. Watch his recent wins at Goodwood and the Curragh, when he seemingly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the final strides. Undoubtedly an overachiever this season, but he simply might be this good. And there's no reason why the folks at Coolmore and Godolphin should have a monopoly on having the best.

If I've waited too long to hop on the Zavateri express, well, I'll look to claw back at Ascot next Saturday.

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