Thursday, October 1, 2009

FIRST FRANCE THEN BREEDERS’ CUP FOR FLEETING SPIRIT

France’s premier sprint race, the Prix de l’Abbaye is one of three Breeders’ Cup Challenge races remaining of the 11 allocated in Europe this year and victory will earn the winner a qualifying berth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge is an international series of 63 races whose winners earn qualifying positions into a corresponding race at the World Championships, following the payment of applicable entry fees on October 26.

For the full schedule of the Breeders' Cup Challenge races, please visit http://www.breederscup.com/content.aspx?id=40070

The other two European races still to come in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge are the Group Three Diamond Stakes at Dundalk tomorrow, Friday, October 2 (winner earns a place in the Breeders’ Cup Marathon) and the Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket on October 17, for which the victor is guaranteed a place in the $3 million (US) Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Jeremy Noseda trains Fleeting Spirit for The Searchers partnership that includes well-known British owner Andy Stewart and the filly will be bidding to better her fourth-place finish behind Desert Code in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. Fleeting Spirit has already enjoyed top-level success this season with a victory over an international field in the Group One July Cup at Newmarket, her home track.

That triumph was sandwiched between narrow reversals in June’s Group One King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, when second to Australian powerhouse Scenic Blast, and the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on September 5.

“We’ll be aiming Fleeting Spirit at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint again,” said Stewart, speaking from the Caribbean. “I think the six and a half furlongs is well within her scope. I’d sooner it was five and a half or six furlongs but on the Santa Anita surface, I don’t think the extra half-furlong will trouble her too much. Jeremy feels the same, as do Tom Queally (jockey) and her work rider, so we will give it a go.

“She was beaten at Haydock by Regal Parade but who knows what might have happened if the ground had been on the faster side. The six furlongs at Haydock came up like a mile and she coped with it.”

Fleeting Spirit relishes a sound surface, something she was denied at Haydock when the going was good to soft, and Stewart is hoping the filly gets her favoured conditions in both France and California.

“Fleeting Spirit will run on Sunday; she’s favourite for the Prix de l’Abbaye and we just hope there is no rain. I’m told by Jeremy Noseda that there might be some rain in Paris but that the ground will be on the fast side of good,” commented Stewart.

“I’m absolutely delighted with her this season. She began well in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot when she was second to Scenic Blast who, at one point, everyone thought would dominate, and we turned him over quite substantially at Newmarket in the July Cup. We are not disappointed with her latest run, given the ground conditions.

“We are hoping to be drawn reasonably low for the Prix de l’Abbaye and after Longchamp we’ll then focus on the Breeders’ Cup, but we’re quite relaxed at the moment.”

Another Breeders’ Cup hopeful heading to Longchamp this weekend is Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber’s Dar Re Mi, who will contest the Group One Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.

The four-year-old filly won the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in June, one of the 11 “win and you’re in” Breeders’ Cup Challenge races, to qualify for the $2 million (US) Grade One Filly & Mare Turf on November 6, but connections are also considering taking on the males in the $3 million (US) Grade One Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf the following day.

Dar Re Mi was controversially disqualified from first place in the Group One Prix Vermeille at Longchamp on September 13, having seen off French Oaks heroine Stacelita. The Singspiel filly previously slammed this year’s Oaks heroine Sariska in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks and had 2008 Oaks winner Look Here back in third when winning at the Curragh.

Dar Re Mi runs in the pink colours of Lord Lloyd-Webber, better known for his Broadway and West End hits such as Evita, Cats and The Phantom Of The Opera.

The Lloyd-Webbers’ racing manager Simon Marsh revealed today: “Dar Re Mi is qualified for the Filly & Mare Turf but we will see how things go in the Arc before deciding where she goes - she could yet run in the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf.

“We entered her for the Arc back in May with an autumn campaign in mind and she has delighted us. She has only run four times this season and has finished first in three Group Ones, beating two English Oaks winners and a French Oaks winner, so she really is a great filly and a pleasure to be involved with.”

Muhannak won the Group Three Diamond Stakes at Dundalk en route to Breeders’ Cup Marathon success last year and this season’s renewal of the extended 10-furlong contest, staged on Polytrack, sees trainer Joe Murphy hoping one of his stable stars can tread the same path as Ralph Beckett’s charge.

The County Tipperary handler will saddle Northgate in tomorrow’s Diamond Stakes, with a view to challenging for Breeders’ Cup honours in the $500,000 (US) Breeders’ Cup Marathon at Santa Anita on November 6.

Northgate, fourth to Muhannak at Dundalk 12 months ago, is a regular at the track and warmed up for the Diamond Stakes on October 2 with a course and distance victory over the Aidan O’Brien-trained Augustusthestrong on September 25.

“Northgate won well last week at the track and is likely to go across to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Marathon after Friday’s race,” said trainer Joe Murphy.

“He would be ideal for America, he loves the artificial surface, the lights, everything. He has a higher rating on the Polytrack than on grass so Santa Anita would suit him.”

There are 12 declarations for the Diamond Stakes with the likely hot favourite trained just a short distance from Murphy’s Fethard stable. Mastercraftsman, winner of this year’s Group One Irish 2,000 Guineas and Group One St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot for Aidan O’Brien, is having his prep for the $5 million (US) Breeders’ Cup Classic in the Dundalk race.

About Breeders' Cup
The Breeders' Cup administers the Breeders' Cup World Championships; Thoroughbred racing's year-end Championships consisting of 14 races and $25.5 million in purses, which makes it the richest event in sports. At last year's Breeders' Cup, more than $100 million in winning wagers were returned to fans at betting locations around the globe. The Breeders' Cup also administers the Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifying series, and the Breeders' Cup Stakes Program. Breeders' Cup has offices in Lexington, Kentucky, and in New York City. Breeders' Cup press releases appear on the Breeders' Cup Web site, www.breederscup.com. You may follow the Breeders' Cup on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BreedersCup

SUPASEUS AMONG 37 DECLARED FOR totesport.com CAMBRIDGESHIRE

A maximum field of 35 is expected for the historic nine-furlong heritage handicap, with the two reserves being Howdigo and King Olav.

Big-priced winners are a relatively common occurrence in the totesport.com Cambridgeshire. Last year’s victor Tazeez was a 25/1 shot, while Spanish Don landed the spoils at 100/1 in 2004 and I Cried For You prevailed as a 33/1 chance in 2001.

Successful in the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot in June, 2008, Supaseus competed almost exclusively in Pattern grade thereafter until returning to handicap company on his most recent start when fifth of 16 in a competitive 10-furlong Sandown contest on 22nd August.

The six-year-old is drawn in stall 26 as he bids to bounce back to his best following an injury sustained at the start of the year.

Morrison revealed today: “Supaseus ran alright last time. The jockey came back and said he needed the race. We were tempted to run him again but didn’t want to have him run a blinder and put the chance of winning a big prize at risk

“He had an injury and it has taken a while to get him back. He fell over in the aeroplane on the way out to Dubai earlier in the year and that’s why he ran so badly there - the vets didn’t find it until after his run. We just hope we can get him back to his best.

“He is unreliable, but if anyone is looking at having a punt on him, he cannot be discounted on his best form. Realistically, he hasn’t run up to his best since his injury but he showed promise last time out and we are doing everything we can to get him back to that level. He will be doing his best and if we get him back to that level he can run into the money.

“I’m happy with the draw and the ground will suit him. His longevity would be better if he liked better ground but fast ground is what he operates on.”

At the head of the market, Charm School (8st 10lb) is one of thee joint-favourites at 10/1 with totesport alongside Sirvino (9st 2lb) and Salute Him (9st 5lb).

Charm School is proving popular as punters play safe and side with the tried and tested John Gosden factor. The trainer has saddled the last two winners of the totesport.com Cambridgeshire, with Pipedreamer triumphing in 2007 and Tazeez landing the spoils 12 months ago.

The David Barron-trained Sirvino is still prominent in the betting as he seeks to maintain his perfect record this season. The four-year-old has been rested since landing the John Smith’s Cup at York on 11th July and is bidding for a sixth successive victory.

Irish trainer Tony Martin’s totesport.com Cambridgeshire record is exemplary, having seen his sole previous runner, She’s Our Mare, land the spoils in 1999. The shrewd handler will seek further success with Wolferton Handicap third Salute Him.

Sir Michael Stoute won the race in 1976 with Intermission and the Freemason Lodge handler will bid to end a 33-year drought with the lightly-raced Tryst (8st 5lb) who ran a promising trial when third at Ascot on 25th September.

Also of note, the David Simcock-trained Bushman (9st 3lb) remains on course for the popular handicap, as does the Michael Jarvis-trained Almiqdaad (8st 8lb), well-fancied after winning the John Smith’s Stakes at Newbury on 19th September, and the Luca Cumani-trained Swop (9st 6lb).

Sponsor’s prices for the totesport.com Cambridgeshire: 10/1 Charm School, Salute Him, Sirvino, 12/1 Swop, 14/1 Almiqdaad, Tryst, 16/1 Applause, Brief Encounter, Bushman, Wannabe King, 20/1 Alfathaa, Royal Destination, 25/1 Alazeyab, Moynahan, Nanton, Supaseus, Sweet Lightning, 28/1 Credit Swap, Greylami, 33/1 Docofthebay, General Eliott, Kaolak, The Which Doctor, 40/1 Hillview Boy, Marajaa, 50/1 Bencoolen, Ellemujie, Kay Gee Be, Stevie Thunder, 66/1 Shavansky, Smokey Oakey, Tartan Gigha, The Cayterers, 100/1 Fight Club, Granston

50/1 Howdigo (Res 1)
100/1 King Olav (Res 2)

1/4 odds places at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

GHANAATI HEADS 10 DECLARED FOR GROUP ONE CONTEST

Saturday’s fantastic seven-race card also features the £200,000 Group One Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (3pm) over a mile for fillies and mares, which has 10 declared runners.

The Barry Hills-trained stanjames.com 1000 Guineas heroine Ghanaati returns to action following her third to Rip Van Winkle in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July.

The field also includes the Cheveley Park Stud-owned pair of Spacious and Heaven Sent, as well as the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Strawberrydaiquiri, bidding for a fifth straight win, and Group Three Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Fantasia from the Luca Cumani yard, who bounced back to form at Doncaster last month.

Alnadana represents the French stable of Alain de Royer-Dupre, while compatriot Rod Collet saddles Sahpresa.

Istanbul Trophy winner Eva’s Request, Group Two winner Lahaleeb and the smart Nashmiah complete a high-class line-up.

THE totesport.com CAMBRIDGESHIRE
Class 2, Heritage Handicap, £160,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.40pm, Newmarket, Saturday, October 3, 2009. For 3yo & upwards, 1m 1f (Cambridgeshire Course, Rowley Mile). Weights: highest weight not less than 9st 10lb; lowest weight 7st 12lb. Penalties: after August 29, a winner 4lb; of any 2 races 7lb. Entries closed August 18, entries revealed August 19 (134 entries), weights revealed September 2, scratchings deadline, September 15 (100 remained), five/six-day confirmation stage September 28 (65 remained), final declaration stage 10.00am, October 1 (37 declarations). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, September 30.

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer/Jockey
1) (11) 402(0)-D05 GENERAL ELIOTT (IRE) 4-9-10 Sir George Meyrick Paul Cole/Johnny Murtagh
2) (16) 3-041060 SWOP (IRE) 6-9-06 Angie Silver Luca Cumani/Kieren Fallon
3) (12) 200-013 SALUTE HIM (IRE) 6-9-05 Byrne Bros (Formwork) Limited Tony Martin IRE/Richard Hughes
4) (34) 0-060512 BUSHMAN 5-9-03 Khalifa Dasmal David Simcock/Darryll Holland
5) (30) 0-005000 SMOKEY OAKEY (IRE) 5-9-03 Judi Dench and Bryan Agar Mark Tompkins/Ashley Morgan (5)
6) (4) 24002414 NANTON (USA) 7-9-03 (4lb ex) Stuart Morrison Jim Goldie/Daniel Tudhope
7) (9) 06-555662 ALFATHAA 4-9-02 Hamdan Al Maktoum William Haggas/Tadhg O’Shea
8) (5) 2-11111 SIRVINO 4-9-02 Theo Williams and Charles Mocatta David Barron/Philip Makin
9) (26) 00-(0)065 SUPASEUS 6-9-01 Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib Hughie Morrison/Travis Block
10) (10) 40-11310 ROYAL DESTINATION (IRE) 4-9-00 Vimal Khosla Jeremy Noseda/Dale Gibson
11) (27) 5010024 ALAZEYAB (USA) 3-9-00 Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis/Neil Callan
12) (36) 345//006- FIGHT CLUB (GER) 8-8-13 T G Price Evan Williams/Vince Slattery
13) (18) (3)(4)-0224 MOYNAHAN (USA) 4-8-12 D S Lee Paul Cole/Alan Munro
14) (3) (0)03350 DOCOFTHEBAY (IRE) 5-8-12 Paul Dixon Jamie Osborne/Ryan Moore
15) (31) 61016(2)5 BRIEF ENCOUNTER (IRE) 3-8-11 Thurloe Thoroughbreds XXII Andrew Balding/Liam Keniry
16) (21) 33-0045(1)5 CHARM SCHOOL 4-8-10 (4lb ex) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan John Gosden/Jimmy Fortune
17) (8) 300013 BENCOOLEN (IRE) 4-8-09 Eamon Maher David Nicholls/Daragh O’Donohoe
18) (37) 442111 WANNABE KING 3-8-09 (4lb ex) Saif Ali & Saeed H Altayer David Lanigan/Ted Durcan
19) (22) 415-501 ALMIQDAAD 3-8-08 (4lb ex) Hamdan Al Maktoum Michael Jarvis/Richard Hills
20) (23) 3035206 KAY GEE BE (IRE) 5-8-07 Par Jeu Partnership William Jarvis/Gary Carroll (5)
21) (15) 3511146 THE CAYTERERS 7-8-06 R D Willis And M C Watts Tony Carroll/Amy Baker (5)
22) (33) 0(4)35061 THE WHICH DOCTOR 4-8-06 (4lb ex) G C Stevens Jeremy Noseda/Jimmy Quinn
23) (35) 621510 MARAJAA (IRE) 7-8-05 John D Jacques Willie Musson/Chris Catlin
24) (28) 2-(1)23 TRYST 4-8-05 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute/Paul Hanagan
25) (32) 100040(2)0 TARTAN GIGHA (IRE) 4-8-05 Mrs I Bird Mark Johnston/Joe Fanning
26) (7) (1)0020332 GREYLAMI (IRE) 4-8-05 J Daniels Terry Mills/Michael Hills
27) (29) 5-344025 STEVIE THUNDER 4-8-04 Steve Gray Ian Williams/Andrea Atzeni (3)
28) (1) 2(0)511123 CREDIT SWAP 4-8-04 Your Golf Travel Ltd Michael Wigham/Toby Atkinson (7)
29) (25) 22140206 GRANSTON (IRE) 8-8-03 The Four Players Partnership James Bethell/Royston Ffrench
30) (6) (6)-(2)66203 SWEET LIGHTNING 4-8-03 A J De V Patrick & M J CaddyWilliam Muir/Martin Dwyer
31) (14) (3)(2)-116 APPLAUSE (IRE) 3-8-03 Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Jeremy Noseda/William Buick
32) (13) 54212115 KAOLAK (USA) 3-8-03 (7lb ex) Simon Kerr John Ryan/Luke Morris
33) (17) 1230103 HILLVIEW BOY (IRE) 5-8-02 Connor & Dunne Jim Goldie/Paul Quinn
34) (19) 1000045 ELLEMUJIE 4-8-02 Mrs J A Cornwell & John G SmithDean Ivory/Adrian McCarthy
35) (24) (1)(0)-11405 SHAVANSKY 5-8-01 John Southway & Andrew Hughes Rod Millman/Kirsty Milczarek

R36 (20) 601332-0 HOWDIGO 4-8-01 G G Racing John Best
R37 (2) (1)(2)(0)200 KING OLAV (UAE) 4-7-13 Cover Point Racing Tony Carroll

35 declared runners plus 2 reserves
1 Irish-trained

THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN SUN CHARIOT STAKES
Class 1, Group 1, £200,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.00pm, Newmarket, Saturday, October 3, 2009. For three-year-old and upwards, fillies and mares only. Rowley Mile. Weights: 3-y-o 8st 13lb, 4-y-o+ 9st 2lb; Entries closer July 28, entries revealed July 29 (39 entries). Scratchings deadline September 8 (26 remained), six-day confirmation & £15,000 supplementary entry stage noon, Monday, September 28 (14 remained), final declaration stage 10am, Thursday October 1 (11 declarations). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Sunday, September 27, 2009. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Age/Wt Owner Trainer/Jockey
1) (1) 3-25212 ALNADANA (IRE) 4-9-02 H H Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR/Richard Hughes
002) (9) 113051 EVA'S REQUEST (IRE) 4-9-02 Liam Mulryan Mick Channon/AlanMunro
3) (4) 5-12202 HEAVEN SENT 6-9-02 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute/Jimmy Fortune
4) (2) 14-1242 SAHPRESA (USA) 4-9-02 D O McIntyre Rod Collet FR/Ted Durcan
5) (3) 44-3130 SPACIOUS 4-9-02 Cheveley Park Stud James Fanshawe/Johnny Murtagh
6) (8) 112-1301 FANTASIA 3-8-13 George Strawbridge Luca Cumani/Kieren Fallon
7) (5) (3)(1)-113 GHANAATI (USA) 3-8-13 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills/Richard Hills
8) (7) 1-102505 LAHALEEB (IRE) 3-8-13 M Al-Qatami & K M Al-Mudhaf Mick Channon/Darryll Holland
9) (10) 1050311 NASHMIAH (IRE) 3-8-13 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain/Neil Callan
10) (6) 21111 STRAWBERRYDAIQUIRI 3-8-13 Renata Jacobs Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore

10 declarations
2 French-trained

23 DECLARED FOR TATTERSALLS TIMEFORM MILLION

Now in its second year, the Tattersalls Timeform Million is the richest race for two-year-olds in Britain with a guaranteed value of £1,000,000 and is restricted to horses which were catalogued in Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales of 2008.

Among this year’s 23 declarations is Group One Phoenix Stakes hero Alfred Nobel, who is one of two runners from the Aidan O’Brien stable along with Dynasty, the joint most expensive runner who cost 300,000 guineas.

The inaugural Tattersalls Timeform Million went to the John Gosden-trained Donativum, who subsequently captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on his next start. This year Gosden supplies two runners in the shape of Kona Coast and Meezaan, who will be making his debut in the contest.

Society Rock, trained in Newmarket by James Fanshawe, has already scooped a valuable prize having landed the £250,000 Tattersalls Timeform Sprint over six furlongs on the Rowley Mile a fortnight ago when he proved a head too strong for the Mark Johnston-trained Take Ten, who will re-oppose on Saturday along with the fourth-placed Saboteur.

Saboteur is one of four runners from the Godolphin stable along with the Listed-placed Atlantis Star, Bab Al Shams and Golden Shaheen.

Richard Hannon is renowned for his targeting of sales races and the Marlborough handler is represented by Magnus Thrax, a Chepstow maiden winner in August.

Another interesting contender is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Markazzi, a facile maiden winner at Leicester last month who along with Dynasty cost 300,000 guineas.

17 FOR TATTERSALLS TIMEFORM FILLIES’ 800

Saturday’s card at Newmarket on Saturday kicks off with the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 (1.50pm) which is also run over seven furlongs and restricted to juvenile fillies catalogued in Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales of 2008.

Aidan O’Brien is also represented in this contest, worth a guaranteed £800,000 and the most valuable race for fillies of any age in Europe, with Lillie Langtry, successful in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at Leopardstown in August.

Godolphin run maiden winner Siyaadah while Richard Hannon saddles the unraced Sunarise.

Paul Cole supplies the most expensive runner in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800, the 400,000 guineas purchase Pink Symphony, a Montjeu three-part sister to Fantasia who was beaten a nose on her latest start in a Newmarket maiden in August.

Form from the £250,000 Tattersalls Timeform Sprint is represented by Jira, who finished third for Clive Brittain and the Richard Fahey-trained Cracking Lass, who stayed on well to be fifth in that contest.

Jimmy George, Marketing Director at Tattersalls, commented: “We are obviously thrilled to see horses of the calibre of Alfred Nobel lining up for Tattersalls Timeform Million while Society Rock is sure to have his supporters after his recent success in the £250,000 Tattersalls Timeform Sprint.

“The Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 also promises to be an outstanding contest and again we are pleased to have received the support of so many of the major stables.

“Donativum’s subsequent Breeders’ Cup success last season was the perfect start for the Tattersalls Timeform Million and we are looking forward to another cracking race this year.”

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