Deerstalkers replaced trilby hats on Saturday as racing's detectives descended on Newmarket looking for clues to next season's Classics. It wouldn't have taken the power of Sherlock Holmes to spot Sun Goddess' potential. She was strong at the finish when landing the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes to cement her place at the top of the ante-post betting for the 1,000 Guineas.
That was no surprise as she had already won over 7f at the top level. Although there is loads of speed in her pedigree, her stride data suggests she is going to love the mile of next spring's Newmarket Classic. She is 7-4 favourite.
Middle Park Winner Orthodox Looks a Sprinter
The same cannot be said about Middle Park winner Orthodox. He looks every inch a sprinter and Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup – he's 12-1 joint-favourite – is the likely target.
Last year's Royal Lodge winner Bow Echo went on to win the 2000 Guineas but it's hard to imagine Haffner following suit. Quotes of 33-1 reflect that but those odds would tumble if he were to be successful at the Breeders' Cup.
Twiston-Davies Team in Sparkling Form
Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies have had their team in sparkling form and it could be about to get even better if recent history is a guide. The father-and-son training partnership have had seven winners from 20 runners in September for a level-stakes profit of more than 10pts.
Their strike-rate jumps to 50 per cent if you take out horses sent off at double-figure odds. Last year, October was their most productive month. That is very much in line with the Cotswold stables' history, as it produced more winners in October than any other month in each of the previous two years.
They could easily kick off the new month in style with Saint Jeannais and Moveit Like Minnie making the long trip to Hexham on Friday. Their entries for Fontwell on Saturday and Uttoxeter on Sunday also look strong.
Patrick Neville Also in Red-Hot Form
Patrick Neville is another trainer in red-hot form. The Yorkshire-based trainer had seven winners from 13 runners with his jumps team in September for a level-stakes profit of more than 21pts. His stable star The Real Whacker was among four victories at Perth's autumn meeting.
