Juvenile Watch: a horse to follow and this week's star performer
By Ross Millar
Last Updated: Wed 7 Oct 2026
Ross Millar reflects on the week's most impressive two-year-old performance, plus has a winner in waiting for your Racing TV Tracker. Our expert also previews both the Fillies' Mile and Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
STAR PERFORMER
GRAN DIA (Andrew Balding)
At this time of the season, we are dealing less with precocity and more with slow-burning types. Never was this more apparent than with the likeable winning debut of Gran Dia at Salisbury on Thursday.
Racing over a mile, the Andrew Balding-trained son of Lope De Vega was slowly away and showed plenty of signs of inexperience through the early stages, needing to be gently encouraged to get a position in behind the leaders. Yet, despite racing green, he was always travelling with enough purpose to hold his position.
Once Callum Hutchinson began to ask him to close approaching the two-furlong marker, Gran Dia determinedly made his challenge. He hit the front just over a furlong from home and, although still looking far from the finished article — he did look to hang left — continued to gallop strongly through the line to beat Shared Odyssey by two lengths. Most crucially, his final half-furlong was by far his strongest and most professional of the contest.
The bare form is, of course, untested. Shared Odyssey was sent off at 20/1, while the better-fancied Yamana disappointed and the 82-rated Somerton finished only fourth. However, in truth, this performance was more about what Gran Dia did visually than the strength of those immediately behind him.
The style of this performance, coupled with his pedigree, suggests he can only improve with time and distance. It will be no surprise if he proves up to contesting Group races next year over ten furlongs or more.
WINNER IN WAITING
IBTEKAR (Ed Walker)
This daughter of Night Of Thunder made a highly promising debut at Ascot when finishing third. Settled at the rear of the field, having jinxed right on leaving the stalls, she looked to be coming with a strong challenge in the closing stages before weakening in the final half-furlong. The pair of fillies that finished ahead of her boasted greater experience.
She'll likely take a step forward for this run and it is worth noting that her-half brother, Dubawi Legend, showed his best form at six furlongs. It's therefore possible that a drop in trip would also be additive.
FRIDAY
2.57 Newmarket - bet365 Fillies' Mile (Group One)
Musical Times: not a betting proposition, but a filly that should prove hard to beat, says Ross Millar. (Pic: focusonracing.com)
Musical Times has improved with each of her three runs to date and won the Group Two May Hill with consummate ease at Doncaster last time.
Such was the dominance that she travelled with on that occasion, it would have been completely reasonable for connections to consider coming back in trip. But equally, she stayed on powerfully, so there can be no concerns on that front.
I'm personally adverse to backing juvenile fillies at odds-on when it comes to the close of the season given that the change in weather can see some loose form. However, her yard continue in fine form with a current strike rate of 31% and I certainly can't find a feasible opponent to her.
SATURDAY
3.00 Newmarket - Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group One)
Verdict to follow after declaration stage.
Racing TV encourages responsible gambling - to find out more click here to head to our dedicated website page.
Related posts
Today's horse racing tips: Nap of the day and best bets for Wednesday
Saturday ante-post tips: "he settled better for a more positive ride last time"
Breeders' Cup bids still on for Aidan O'Brien's Arc team
Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap tips: five for the shortlist
Tattersalls: Godolphin break record with 4.6m Night Of Thunder colt
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Unibet: Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
100 in Free Bets & Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Favourite with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. IRE/NI new customers only. €/£100 in FREE Bets (FB) as €/£80 in sports bets & a €/£20 casino bonus (CB). Min Deposit €/£10. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. FB applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. FB 7-day expiry. 1 FB offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment restrictions. 14 days to accept €/£10 CB, then active for 3 days. CB 5x wagering & max redeemable €/£100. Game restrictions apply. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved