Nyquist back on track in US

There are G1 races coming at us from all sides in Europe and Australia this weekend, but the most interest may be generated by a G2 contest at Parx in America.
 
The G2 Pennsylvania Derby sees the reappearance of G1 Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist, who takes on G1 Preakness winner Exaggerator on what is billed as the racetrack's best card ever.
 
One suspects that Nyquist (who is a career 8 from 10) is ready to regain the winning thread as he builds up for the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita on November 5.
 
His most recent outing resulted in a fourth in the G1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, New Jersey, and he has both the class and brilliance to bounce back. He has drawn 9 in a field of 12 runners, so he can be expected to roll forward in the early stages.
 
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed secured the breeding rights last year to Nyquist, who will stand as a Darley stallion at the end of his racing career.
 
In England, Godolphin's Blue Point has an excellent chance of landing the G1 Middle Park Stakes, over six furlongs, at Newmarket, having continued to please trainer Charlie Appleby since his fine win in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.
 
But it is a hot field. Mehmas is a 'professional' two-year-old, who sets a high standard, but Mokarris is a likely improver on the Rowley Mile.
 
The brilliant American filly Lady Aurelia clashes with outstanding Queen Kindly in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes for fillies, which might just steal the spotlight from the colts. It is a speed battle long-awaited.
 
Best Of Days, trained by Hugo Palmer for Godolphin, looks the one to beat in the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes, though Bay Of Poets is well-regarded, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's Montataire is a colt, who has kept on improving all season.
 
If ever you thought Australia might have too many G1 races programmed each year -- and too many Pattern races in general -- further evidence is supplied this weekend in Melbourne, where the long-established G1 Underwood Stakes is joined on the Caulfield card by the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
 
Lucia Valentina might get the better of Black Heart Bart in the Underwood, while the G1 Stradbroke winner Under The Louvre should win the Rupert Clarke.
 
But there is keen Godolphin interest in Saturday's G2 Stan Fox Stakes at Rosehill, Sydney, where Impending can step up on his recent third to Astern and Ormei Sword in the G1 Golden Rose.