Racenews Newslink Archive - Saturday, October 23, 2004

Saturday, October 23, 2004

DARREN BEADMAN TO RIDE DISTINCTION IN MELBOURNE CUP

Darren Beadman will ride the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Distinction in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington, Australia, on Tuesday, November 2, it was revealed today.

Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, whose Orangery Syndicate owns Distinction, had been hoping that another leading Australian jockey, Damien Oliver, would partner the five-year-old in Australia’s most famous race.

But Oliver has plumped for Irish raider Media Puzzle, whom he rode to victory in 2002.

Harry Herbert, HTR’s managing director, said this morning: “Darren is in great form at the moment and he has already won two Melbourne Cups so he knows the race well. He will become first acquainted with the horse this Tuesday.

“Distinction, ridden by his lass Kerry Jones, worked this morning and was in terrific form. His blood is now 100 per cent and everybody is pleased with him.

“We totally understand Damien’s decision which must have been a difficult one and we are thrilled to have Darren on board.”

Beadman won the Melbourne Cup in 1990 on Kingston Rule and in 1996 on Saintly.

THE VALUE BETTING COLUMN EVERY SATURDAY

DONCASTER, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004

GOING: GOOD TO SOFT (SOFT IN PLACES)

BP = at the time of writing but for the best current odds go to www.BritOdds.com (Click on link above)
3.30pm Ł200,000 Racing Post Trophy (Group One) (2-y-o), 1m

1 (7) 21 ALBERT HALL Aidan O’Brien IRE 2-9-00 Jamie Spencer
A Group Two winner in Ireland on softish ground and deserved joint favourite. He looks the type to progress and could be really good. BP= 7/4

2 (6) 06215 BEAVER PATROL Fulke Johnson Houghton 2-9-00 Steve Carson
The same trainer/jockey combination who won the Dewhurst Stakes with Tout Seul a couple of years ago. The winner of a valuable sales race in Ireland though an unlikely winner today. BP= 25/1

3 (4) 25185 BERKHAMSTED Jamie Osborne 2-9-00 Ryan Moore
An interesting contender as he needs soft ground. He won a Listed race on heavy going in France. Some chance.BP= 20/1

4 (3) 1164 ELLIOTS WORLD Mark Johnston 2-9-00 Kevin Darley
Has been well beaten in Group company on last two starts but, once again, these were on good to firm ground. Has something to find. BP= 12/1

5 (8) 235 FRITH Barry Hills 2-9-00 Seb Sanders
Has never raced on a soft surface and still a maiden after three starts, albeit he ran in the Royal Lodge Stakes last time. Stable jockey Michael Hills prefers to go to Newbury so leave alone. BP= 33/1

6 (2) 12 HENRIK Mick Channon 2-9-00 Ted Durcan
Reportedly worked very well mid-week but taken out of Dewhurst last week because of soft ground and this probably won’t be much better. Ran well against Dubawi last time who franked the form in no uncertain terms in Ireland but there must be doubts. BP= 10/1

7 (1) 31 HILLS OF ARAN Aidan O’Brien IRE 2-9-00 Colm O’Donoghue
Aidan O’Brien’s supposed second-string but so was High Chaparral in 2001 who overturned an odds-on stable-companion in Castle Gandolfo. Has only won a maiden so far but who knows what his potential is as he scored very easily? BP= 10/1

8 (5) 1 MOTIVATOR Michael Bell 2-9-00 Kieren Fallon
Could not have been more impressive when winning his maiden on Newmarket’s July Course but is plenty short enough for a horse making the massive jump to Grade One company. Good luck to connections if they pull it off but no value here, especially against an Aidan O’Brien-trained Group Two winner at around the same price. BP=
7/4

SUMMARY
ALBERT HALL is the best value as he has already proved himself in Group Two company.

For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink Archive