Monday, November 1, 2004
DONCASTER HOSTS BRITISH FLAT SEASON FINALE
Britain's 2004 Flat season on turf comes to a rousing climax with the traditional finale at Doncaster on Saturday (November 6), when the mammoth eight-race programme is set to start at 12-15 p.m.
With Frankie Dettori clinching his third Jockeys' Championship after a terrific tussle with the defending champion, Kieren Fallon, and Tom Queally having secured the title of Champion Apprentice Jockey, presentations will be made to both during the afternoon, in conjunction with the Jockeys' Association, with Dettori also receiving a cheque for a charity of his choice, the amount for which being based on the number of winners he eventually achieves upto and including Saturday.
The highlight of Saturday's bumper card is The Enter The £1 Million totetentofollow November Stakes, with prize money of £50,000 - the most valuable running of this famous Heritage Handicap over one mile and a half which signals the conclusion of the domestic season. A strong supporting cast includes a trio of Listed races, namely The Wentworth Stakes (six furlongs), The CIU Serlby Stakes (one mile and a half) and The European Breeders Fund Gillies Fillies' Stakes (a contest over the extended one mile and quarter for fillies and mares held in memory of a former chairman of Doncaster racecourse, the late Coun. Ron Gillies J.P.).
A handicap race for stayers, The Merlin ‘New Discovery 3' Handicap Stakes over the extended two miles is also featured on Saturday, while the opening race, The Robin Hastings Memorial Fund Apprentice Handicap Stakes draws attention to the Racing Schools' Apprentice Series – a special competition for young riders, who at the start of the season in March, claimed the full 7lb apprentices' weight allowance. Based on a points system, the competition is for graduates of The British Racing School at Newmarket, The Northern Racing College at Rossington Hall near Doncaster and The Racing Academy & Centre of Education in Ireland. The apprentice accruing the most number of points is rewarded with a working holiday in Dubai, through the Robin Hastings Memorial Fund.
For the twelfth year, Saturday's meeting is supported by members of The Club & Institute Union Racing Club. Senior officials of the CIU will also be at Doncaster as funds are raised for the CIU's holiday and convalescent centres at Saltburn and Langland Bay in South Wales.
Prior to racing in the winners' enclosure, The Racing post's panel of form experts will be previewing the big races and also recommending horses to nominate in the £1 Million totetentofollow competition for the Jumping season.
The giant totesport screen situated opposite the main stands will enable racegoers to follow the action on the track in even more detail, along with showing racing at other meetings. The Tom Roberts Jazz Band provide the musical entertainment, while there's a supervised crèche facility in the Family Enclosure @ £1-80 per hour.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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