Siskin can shine in Park Stakes
Siskin can protect his unblemished record in a remarkably strong renewal of the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.
ThesonofFirstDefencebegan a so-far flawless campaign when winning on his debut in a maiden at Naas.
His next step was a foray into Listed company at the Curragh, where his class began to emerge as he took the Marble Hill Stakes by two and a half lengths.
The Group Two Railway Stakes followed over the same course and distance, and provided a third successive win - with some ease from fellow Middle Park contender Monarch Of Egypt.
The two met again at the Curragh last month, on soft ground for the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes in which Siskin duly prevailed again, by three-quarters of a length.
He faces a line-up stacked with potential and no small achievement already.
It includes Andre Fabre's French raider Earthlight, runaway York winner Mums TippleandChampagneStakes hero Threat - both representing Richard Hannon.
But Siskin has proved he can handle the big occasion and varying ground, which may yet be handy - given a still uncertain forecast.
The Cambridgeshire card getsunderwaywithanintriguing edition of the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes.
Several appeal strongly here as long-term prospects for next year - none more so than Kameko, who may prove the boss on this occasion.
Andrew Balding's colt runs in the Qatar Racing colours worn, among others, by the brilliant but ill-fated Roaring Lion.
Baldingmaywellhavesimilar aspirations on the track for the son of Kitten's Joy.
Victory this weekend is not necessarily critical to those plans, against opponents such as Highland Chief, Pyledriver and Surf Dancer, who have all performed with great promise intheirsofarshortcareerstoo.
But Kameko may just be a step ahead of them at this stage, following his highly-encouraging maiden victory and then tenacious effort to finish runner-upinaGroupThreeon his return to Sandown late last month.
ItisclassallthewayatHeadquarters, and the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes is the juvenile fillies' chance to earn Group One-winning status.
As befits elite standard, Raffle Prize is unlikely to find it easy against another deep field - but two successive Group Two wins and then a neck second against the colts behind Earthlight at the top