Wednesday, October 20, 2010
GEORGE CAUTIOUSLY LAUDS TARTAK’S totescoop6 OLD ROAN CHASE CREDENTIALS
Trainer Tom George believes that Tartak (10st 9lb) has an “outstanding chance” of winning the £60,000 Grade Two totescoop6 Old Roan Chase on Saturday, October 23, providing the gelding turns up for the two and a half-mile Aintree contest with all cylinders firing.
The seven-year-old has done well over the course and distance, winning the Grade Two John Smith’s Manifesto Novices’ Chase 18 months ago and finishing a fine fourth over the trip at Aintree in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase on April 9.
That latter effort saw him carry level weights with his rivals, including the victorious Albertas Run (11st 10lb), who reopposes on 15lb worse terms for a little over five lengths. Third that day was Monet’s Garden (11st 7lb) - now seeking a third totescoop6 Old Roan Chase triumph - and he has to concede 12lb for only three-quarters of a length.
George revealed this morning: “The plan is to run Tartak, as two and a half miles around Aintree seems to suit him. He has an outstanding chance at the weights but if he comes out as ring rusty as he was when last of eight in the race last year, he won’t win anything.
“He was very stuffy to begin with last season, so we took that into account this year and have tried to get him so that he’s firing earlier. We have done plenty with him so, while there are no guarantees with horses, hopefully he will go there sharper. My horses do tend to improve for a run though.”
In an attempt to counter any early season lethargy, Tartak returned to training at George’s Gloucestershire yard earlier than usual this summer.
The Slad trainer continued: “He has summered well, we have had him in since the beginning of July so he’s had plenty of time. We have given him about six schooling sessions on the grass and the schooling has been excellent, so we are hoping to take on where he left off, rather than where he started last season when he was a bit stop-start.
“The other problem we had last season was trying to work out his optimum (conditions). We dropped him back to two miles and stepped him up to three miles in the King George, but two and a half on a flat track appears to be his absolute optimum at the moment - Aintree over two and half seems to be ideal.
“He was unlucky not to win the totesport.com Peterborough Chase last season when he slipped three from home and finished second to Deep Purple. The only times we actually had him right and were happy with him last season were at Aintree and Huntingdon.
“After Aintree, the totesport.com Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon would again be very high on the list. We might fit something in between, but now we know what his optimum is, we might as well stick to that with him.”
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Albertas Run proved himself the star turn at around two and a half miles last term. His Aintree triumph in April was complemented by a four and a half-length success over the Paul Nicholls-trained Poquelin (11st 6lb) in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Monet’s Garden is one of Jump racing’s old favourites and the Nicky Richards-trained 12-year-old will attempt to add to his previous totescoop6 Old Roan Chase wins achieved in 2007 and 2009.
Other runners of note among the 12 entries are the David Pipe-trained I’msingingtheblues (10st 10lb) and the Tim Walford-trained Master Medic (10st 8lb)
Saturday’s seven-race card also features the £25,000 totetentofollow.co.uk Veteran’s Handicap Chase (4.35pm) and an entry of 15 for the three mile, one furlong contest includes the John Quinn-trained Character Building, who was seventh behind Don’t Push It in this year’s John Smith’s Grand National.
The action gets underway with the extended two-mile £14,000 toteplacepot Handicap Hurdle (2.10pm), and the 22 entries include the Alan King-trained Mille Chief, as well as Kauto Star’s half-brother Kauto Relko, who could make his first start for new trainer Rachel Hobbs.
Aintree also races on Sunday, October 24, when the six-race card is headed by the £15,000 Weatherbys Bank Handicap Chase (for the John Parrett Memorial Trophy). Racing kicks off at 2.10pm with the Halloween At Matalan Introductory Juvenile Hurdle, for which an entry of 24 includes the current ante-post favourite for next year’s Triumph Hurdle, Franklino, from the stable of Alan King.
Full ticket details for the weekend’s racing are available at www.aintree.co.uk and best value is to be had by booking in advance.
On Sunday, October 24, the grown-ups can enjoy the day’s exciting races, while the little devils prepare for Halloween with an action-packed day full of FREE entertainment, including mad science shows and experiments, magician and free face painting, kids and adults’ fancy dress competition, pony rides and grooming plus much, much more.
Accompanied children aged under 17 gain FREE admission on both days, while there is also FREE car parking at the course.
FRANKEL ZOOMS INTO CONTENTION FOR A CARTIER RACING AWARD
Frankel bolstered his towering reputation and stormed into the reckoning for the coveted Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award at Newmarket on Saturday, October 16, with a commanding victory over five select rivals in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes.
The seven-furlong contest was billed as the two-year-old race of the century with fellow unbeaten juveniles Dream Ahead and Saamidd in opposition.
Dual Group One hero Dream Ahead lined in an attempt to complete the Group One Shadwell Middle Park/Dubai Dewhurst double for the first time since Diesis achieved the exceptional feat in 1982. Godolphin’s Saamidd, nicknamed “Pegasus” in trainer Saeed bin Suroor’s yard, was also out to protect a perfect record following his impressive triumph in the Group Two Neptune Investment Management Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September.
Among the perceived bit part players on an afternoon entrenched in optimistic hyperbole, Glor Na Mara was bidding to give trainer Jim Bolger a fourth victory in five years, while the lightly-raced Roderic O’Connor represented the previous season’s winning trainer Aidan O’Brien. Brian Meehan saddled the Group Three winner Waiter’s Dream.
Such races exemplify what the Cartier Racing Awards represent. Frankel delivered a performance par excellence as he enhanced the impression of his 10-length rout of good horses in the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes the previous month with a comfortable two and a quarter length triumph over Roderic O’Connor. Dream Ahead and Saamidd failed to live up to their billing in fifth and sixth respectively.
Dream Ahead remains top of the current points standings for the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt Award with 64 points, ahead of dual Group Two winner Approve, who was no match for Saamidd at Doncaster. Frankel’s 48 points place him level with unbeaten Group One Vincent O’Brien National Stakes winner Patchwork and Group One Keene land Phoenix Stakes hero Zoffany.
The Cartier Racing Awards recognise excellence in horseracing and the awards are the sport’s equivalent of the Oscars. Split into eight categories for the year’s top horses, including the particularly coveted Cartier Horse Of The Year, the awards are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined, at the end of the season, with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.
European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades will be presented for the 20th time on November 16, during a glittering ceremony before an invited audience in the ballroom of London’s Dorchester Hotel.
The Cartier Racing Awards were established in 1991 to recognise the achievements of racehorses in Europe. The awards also include the Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award Of Merit for the person or persons who, in the opinion of the special 18-strong Cartier Jury, has/have done most for European racing and/or breeding either over their lifetime or within the past 12 months.
Frankel’s victory was the first leg of a Group One double on Champions’ Day at Newmarket for owner Khalid Abdulla, trainer Henry Cecil and jockey Tom Queally. The trio teamed up for more success in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes as Twice Over raced to a roundly applauded victory in the 10-furlong contest for the second year in succession.
Having also finished runner-up in 2008 to that year’s outstanding Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt Award winner New Approach, the five-year-old once again displayed his abundant class as he quickened away from multiple Group One winner Vision d’Etat to take his Cartier points tally to 140.
Twice Over, also successful in this season’s Group One Coral-Eclipse Stakes, now sits second to the great mare Goldikova (144 points) in both the Cartier Older Horse category and Cartier Horse Of The Year standings, sharing second spot in the latter with crack miler Canford Cliffs (140).
The Richard Hannon-trained Canford Cliffs remains at the head of affairs in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt division thanks to wins in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes, four points ahead of impressive Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes victor Cape Blanco (136). Dick Turpin has 112 points and Workforce, victorious in the Investec Derby and Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, has 104 points.
Dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy missed the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes but remains clear in the Cartier-Three-Year-Old Filly category with 118 points, while Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile heroine Misty For Me stays at the top of an unchanged Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly division with 72 points.
There were no changes to the Cartier Sprinter category, with Starspangledbanner (112) still in the vanguard, while Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage (48) also remains at the head of an unchanged Cartier Stayer division.
Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “Champions’ Day at Newmarket on Saturday certainly appeared to live up to its name with fantastic performances from Frankel and Twice Over.
“Frankel’s decisive victory in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes means he remains unbeaten and hopefully there will be plenty more to come from him next year.
“Twice Over is a tremendous horse and it is easy to see why he is trainer Henry Cecil’s favourite. The colt is a model of consistency in Group One races and it was a delight to witness a deserved second successive win in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes.
“As we close in on the season’s climax, our focus turns to assessing the merits of each Cartier Racing Awards contender. With exceptional performers such as Goldikova, Harbinger, Workforce, Canford Cliffs, Midday, Snow Fairy and Frankel to name but a few, it will be fascinating to see how the public and the panel of journalists decide to vote.”
For more information, please contact Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant (01488 669166), Sima Bibi of Cartier (020 7408 5740) or Mark Popham of Racenews (020 7704 0326)
CARTIER AWARDS 2010 LATEST POINTS STANDINGS
(points earned in Pattern Races up to and including October 17, 2010)
Cartier Horse Of The Year
GOLDIKOVA 144
CANFORD CLIFFS 140
TWICE OVER 140
CAPE BLANCO 136
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt
CANFORD CLIFFS 140
CAPE BLANCO 136
DICK TURPIN 112
WORKFORCE 104
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly
SNOW FAIRY 118
SPECIAL DUTY 98
MUSIC SHOW 84
SARAFINA 84
Cartier Older Horse
GOLDIKOVA 144
TWICE OVER 140
STARSPANGLEDBANNER 112
MIDDAY 104
RIP VAN WINKLE 104
Cartier Sprinter
STARSPANGLEDBANNER 112
EQUIANO 72
MARKAB 52
LADY OF THE DESERT 48
Cartier Stayer
RITE OF PASSAGE 48
GENTOO 40
SANS FRONTIERES 32
AGE OF AQUARIUS 28
Cartier Two-Year-old Colt
DREAM AHEAD 64
APPROVE 54
FRANKEL 48
PATCHWORK 48
ZOFFANY 48
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly
MISTY FOR ME 72
HOORAY 60
WHITE MOONSTONE 56
LAUGHING LASHES 36
Past winners at the Cartier Racing Awards
2009 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: St Nicholas Abbey
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Special Duty
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sea The Stars
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Sariska
Cartier Sprinter: Fleeting Spirit
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Goldikova
Cartier Horse of the Year: Sea The Stars, owned by Christopher Tsui
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Oxx
2008 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Mastercraftsman
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rainbow View
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: New Approach
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Zarkava
Cartier Sprinter: Marchand D’Or
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Duke Of Marmalade
Cartier Horse of the Year: Zarkava, owned by HH the Aga Khan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
2007 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: New Approach
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Natagora
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Authorized
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Peeping Fawn
Cartier Sprinter: Red Clubs
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Dylan Thomas
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dylan Thomas, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: The Niarchos Family
2006 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Teofilo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Finsceal Beo
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Mandesha
Cartier Sprinter: Reverence
Cartier Stayer: Yeats
Cartier Older Horse: Ouija Board
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Willett
2005 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: George Washington
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Rumplestiltskin
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Hurricane Run
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Sprinter: Avonbridge
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Azamour
Cartier Horse of the Year: Hurricane Run, owned by Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henry Cecil
2004 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Shamardal
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Divine Proportions
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Bago
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ouija Board
Cartier Sprinter: Somnus
Cartier Stayer: Westerner
Cartier Older Horse: Soviet Song
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ouija Board, owned by Lord Derby
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: David & Patricia Thompson
2003 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: One Cool Cat
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Attraction
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dalakhani
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Russian Rhythm
Cartier Sprinter: Oasis Dream
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Older Horse: Falbrav
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dalakhani, owned by HH the Aga Khan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lord Oaksey
2002 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Hold That Tiger
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Six Perfections
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rock Of Gibraltar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kazzia
Cartier Sprinter: Continent
Cartier Older Horse: Grandera
Cartier Stayer: Vinnie Roe
Cartier Horse of the Year: Rock of Gibraltar, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson & Sue Magnier
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah
Cartier Special Award: Tony McCoy
2001 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Queen's Logic
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Johannesburg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Banks Hill
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Galileo
Cartier Stayer: Persian Punch
Cartier Sprinter: Mozart
Cartier Older Horse: Fantastic Light
Cartier Horse of the Year: Fantastic Light, owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Magnier
2000 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Superstar Leo
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Tobougg
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Petrushka
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Sinndar
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Nuclear Debate
Older Horse: Kalanisi
Cartier Horse of the Year: Giant’s Causeway, owned by Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor
Cartier Millennium Award of Merit: HM The Queen
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: HH the Aga Khan
1999 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Torgau
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Fasliyev
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ramruma
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Montjeu
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Sprinter: Stravinsky
Cartier Older Horse: Daylami
Cartier Horse of the Year: Daylami, owned by Godolphin
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Peter Walwyn
1998 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Aljabr
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Bint Allayl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Dream Well
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Cape Verdi
Cartier Sprinter: Tamarisk
Cartier Stayer: Kayf Tara
Cartier Older Horse: Swain
Cartier Horse of the Year: Dream Well, owned by the Niarchos Family
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: The Head Family
1997 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Embassy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Xaar
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ryafan
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Peintre Celebre
Cartier Stayer: Celeric
Cartier Sprinter: Royal Applause
Cartier Older Horse: Pilsudski
Cartier Horse of the Year: Peintre Celebre, owned by Daniel Wildenstein
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Sir Peter O'Sullevan
1996 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Pas De Reponse
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Bahamian Bounty
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Bosra Sham
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Helissio
Cartier Stayer: Nononito
Cartier Sprinter: Anabaa
Cartier Older Horse: Halling
Cartier Horse of the Year: Helissio, owned by Enrique Sarasola
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Frankie Dettori
1995 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Blue Duster
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Alhaarth
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Ridgewood Pearl
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Lammtarra
Cartier Stayer: Double Trigger
Cartier Sprinter: Hever Golf Rose
Cartier Older Horse: Further Flight
Cartier Horse of the Year: Ridgewood Pearl, owned by Mrs Sean Coughlan
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: John Dunlop
1994 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Gay Gallanta
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Celtic Swing
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Balanchine
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: King's Theatre
Cartier Stayer: Moonax
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Barathea
Cartier Horse of the Year: Barathea, owned by Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Marquess of Hartington
1993 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lemon Souffle
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: First Trump
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Intrepidity
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Commander in Chief
Cartier Stayer: Vintage Crop
Cartier Sprinter: Lochsong
Cartier Older Horse: Opera House
Cartier Horse of the Year: Lochsong, owned by Jeff Smith
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Francois Boutin
1992 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Lyric Fantasy
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Zafonic
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: User Friendly
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Rodrigo De Triano
Cartier Stayer: Drum Taps
Cartier Sprinter: Mr Brooks
Cartier Older Horse: Mr Brooks
Cartier Horse of the Year: User Friendly, owned by Bill Gredley
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Lester Piggott
1991 - CARTIER RACING AWARDS
Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly: Culture Vulture
Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt: Arazi
Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly: Kooyonga
Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt: Suave Dancer
Cartier Stayer: Turgeon
Cartier Sprinter: Sheikh Albadou
Cartier Older Horse: Terimon
Cartier Horse of the Year: Arazi, owned by Allen Paulson & Sheikh Mohammed
Cartier/Daily Telegraph Award of Merit: Henri Chalhoub
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