Tuesday, December 12, 2000
TOTE TRIM MORAL SUPPORT FOR WELSH NATIONAL
The Tote have further trimmed their Welsh National favourite Moral Support from 9/2 to 4/1 this afternoon.
The horse-top priced with the firm in the market this morning-has continued to draw support on an otherwise quiet day in the Tote markets, to draw further ahead from joint-second-favourites Edmond and King's Road at 11/2.
Tote bet:
Coral Eurobet Welsh National, 3miles 5 ½ furlong handicap Chepstow, December 27th:
4/1 Moral Support (from 9/2)
11/2 Edmond, King's Road
8/1 Good Lord Murphy
9/1 Young Kenny
10/1 Take Control
12/1 Ardent Scout, Royal Tommy
16/1 Bosuns Mate, Flaked Oats, Jocks Cross, Kaki Crazy, Smarty, Spanish Man
20/1 BAR
LATEST CORAL EUROBET FOR THE HONG KONG FESTIVAL
Hong Kong Festival, Sha Tin, Saturday, December 16
Hong Kong Cup:
3/1 Fantastic Light, Jim And Tonic
9/2 Greek Dance
7/1 Industrialist
10/1 Samum
12/1 Forbidden Apple, Elle Danzig
14/1 Ouzo, Falcon Flight, Shogun Lodge
20/1 Hidalguia
25/1 Keen Winner, Lord Of The Warriors
40/1 Helene Express
Hong Kong Sprint:
9/4 Nuclear Debate
4/1 King Of The Danes
6/1 Big Jag, Bertolini
10/1 Best Of The Best, Superb Effect
12/1 Morluc
14/1 Crystal Charm
16/1 Eastern Purple, Plenty-Plenty
25/1 Perryston View, Black Bean, Falvelon
40/1 Repertory
Hong Kong Vase:
3/1 Daliapour, Ela Athena
7/2 Catella
6/1 Helene Vitality
8/1 Idigenous
12/1 Caitano, Val's Prince
16/1 Murghem, Second Coming
25/1 Silvano
40/1 Idol, Natural Winner, Oriental Express
Hong Kong Mile:
6/4 Sunline
11/4 Fairy King Prawn
7/1 Electric Unicom
10/1 Testa Rossa, Last Resort
14/1 Sugarfoot, New Trumps, Faberger, Adam
16/1 One Won One
20/1 Billion Win, Mr Innocent, Charge D'Affaires
25/1 Native Desert
NIVEN NOT RETIRING JUST YET
Leading Northern jockey Peter Niven has said that he has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.
Following his success on Loop The Loup at Musselburgh this afternoon, the 36-year-old is just eight winners short of joining the elite club of national hunt jockeys to have ridden over 1,000 winners.
Niven told the Racing Channel this afternoon: "We are getting there and obviously it's a landmark I'd love to reach.
"I thoroughlly enjoy this game and I do want to keep on riding. If I can get the rides I'll keep riding - I love it.
"I feel better physically and mentally than probably I've ever done in my riding career. I don't sweat as hard, I'm not weak through wasting and I find the weight thing easier since I've got older.
"I certainly feel stronger than I did when I was 25 and the fact I'm just over 30 has nothing to do with it."
WINCANTON'S TRADITIONAL BOXING DAY MEETING SO POPULAR
Wincanton's successful festive fixture on Boxing Day, Tuesday, December 26, is being held as usual at the friendly Somerset racecourse.
This year Wincanton becomes the only West Country course to stage horseracing on Boxing Day and an already very popular fixture is set to become even more so.
Despite this and the fact the three restaurants, including a special marquee one, are already fully booked for the day, Wincanton can cope with big crowds. The only advice is to try and arrive early - the gates open at 11am and the first race is due off at 1pm.
Wincanton has a wide array of catering outlets and plenty of bars. There is an incentive to book early, with 20% off tickets purchased before December 19, meaning that entrance to the enclosures costs £12 for the Club, £8 for Tattersalls and £4 for the Course.
On the racing side, the day promises to offer some top action. One of the two feature races on the card is the £12,500-added MID SEASON CHASE (2.05pm) over two miles and five furlongs.
Restricted to novices and second-season chasers, the race's roll of honour boasts some impressive names such as Ten Plus, triumphant in 1987. The 1989 winner Toby Tobias went on to finish second in the 1990 Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup while the 1992 victor Cogent captured the Hennessy Gold Cup the following year. Martha's Son took the race in 1994 and in 1997 was successful in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Potentate, thrice winner of the Welsh Champion Hurdle, was successful last year for the champion trainer Martin Pipe.
The £12,500-added LORD STALBRIDGE MEMORIAL GOLD CUP (3.05pm), a handicap chase over three miles, one and a half furlongs is the other highlight. Tom George's useful chaser Act In Time was victorious in last year's renewal, while previous winners include Grand National stalwart Brave Highlander (1997) and Cheltenham Festival winner Flyer's Nap (1994).
A qualifying race for the Ladbrokes Casinos Final at the Cheltenham Festival on March 13, 2001, is also on the card - the £12,000-added LADBROKES CASINOS HANDICAP HURDLE (2.35pm) over two miles and six furlongs. Martin Pipe's Font Romeu landed the qualifier at Wincanton last season and went on to run very well in the final at Cheltenham, finishing third.
There are six races on the card, beginning with the FRANCIS FLOOD NOVICES' HANDICAP HURDLE (1pm) and finishing with the FATHER CHRISTMAS MARES' ONLY "NATIONAL HUNT" NOVICES HURDLE (3.35pm).
Ian Renton, Wincanton's Clerk of the Course and General Manager, said: "Boxing Day at Wincanton is always extremely popular and for many people forms part of their Christmas celebrations.
"We advise racegoers to arrive in good time for what should be a very enjoyable afternoon of excellent National Hunt racing."
Admission prices on the day are Club £15, Tattersalls £10 and Course £5. Accompanied children under 16 gain FREE entry. FREE parking except for cars in the Course Enclosure (£5).
ELECTION OF NEW JOCKEY CLUB MEMBERS
Honorary Members
The following were elected as Honorary Members of the Jockey Club:
Mr David Hillyard
David Hillyard, 63, recently retired as Managing Director of Racecourse Holdings Trust after ten years in the post. He had previously worked for BP, Debenhams plc and Whitbread plc.
David Hillyard is a Director of Wincanton and has had small interests in National Hunt horses for a number of years.
The Lord Oaksey OBE (John)
Lord Oaksey, 71, is well-known and respected as a television commentator and journalist. He has written a column for the Daily Telegraph since 1957 and appeared regularly on Channel 4 Racing since 1986, additionally writing for Horse and Hound, the Sunday Telegraph and the Racing Post.
A very successful amateur rider from 1955-75, Lord Oaksey won the leading amateur riders' title twice. He has won many high profile races including the Whitbread Gold Cup and the Hennessy Gold Cup, both on Taxidermist.
As a founder Trustee of the Injured Jockeys' Fund, Lord Oaksey has devoted much time to the charity since its inception in 1964. After 18 years as a Trustee, he was appointed Chairman of the Injured Jockeys' Fund
The Chairman of the Australian Racing Board (ex officio)
The Australian Racing Board is a new federal body that comprises the principal Australian Race Clubs. It is responsible for reviewing and formulating the Australian Rules of Racing for all States, as well as framing the racing industry's anti-doping regime and advising on integrity, welfare and Race Planning matters and thus ensuring that racing throughout Australia is conducted to common principles.
The Australian Racing Board is recognised by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and the current Chairman is Bob Charley, former Chairman of the Australian Jockey Club.
The Australian Jockey Club (AJC) continues to enjoy Honorary Membership (ex officio) of The Jockey Club but in recent years its role has changed. The New South Wales Thoroughbred Racing Board is now responsible for the administration of racing in that State leaving the AJC to run racing at Randwick and Warwick Farm racecourses. The AJC's joint ownership of the Australian Stud Book with the Victoria Racing Club remains unchanged.
Ordinary Members
The following were elected as Members of the Jockey Club:
Mr Michael Felton
Mike Felton, 45, is a steward at Taunton and Wincanton. Mens' Champion Point-to-Point Rider on three occasions, he has ridden over 200 winners, 23 of which were under Rules. Having also ridden in three-day events, Mike is now involved in the organisation of BHS Horse Trials as well as Point to Point meetings.
Mike Felton farms in Somerset and is a Master of the Blackmore Vale Foxhounds.
The Lady Lloyd-Webber (Madeleine)
Lady Lloyd-Webber, 38, is the founder and co-owner of Watership Down Stud near Newbury and Kiltinan Castle Stud in Co Tipperary. Watership Down Stud has been achieving top prices for its yearlings over the last few years, culminating in a European auction record at this year's Tattersalls' Houghton Yearling Sales with the sale of a son of Sadler's Wells for 3.4m guineas.
A Director of Newbury, Lady Lloyd-Webber and her husband own Flat and NH racehorses, including Bacchanal (winner of Stayers' Hurdle at the NH Festival) and Crystal Music (homebred by Nureyev who won the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Ascot) and currently have horses in training with several different trainers.
Before her marriage, Lady Lloyd-Webber was a top class International Three Day Eventer, representing Great Britain.
Mr Edmond Mahony
As Chairman of Tattersalls and Tattersalls (Ireland) Ltd., Edmond Mahony, 40, oversees the sale of 10,000 thoroughbred horses each year at 17 sales in Newmarket and Ireland. He retires from the Industry Committee this year after six years' service representing UK Thoroughbred Auctioneers.
Edmond Mahony owns several NH store horses and has bred from Flat and NH mares; he has a share in a horse trained by James Eustace, through Park Lane Racing. He was formerly a successful Point-to-Point rider.
Mr David Turner
David Turner, 56, retains his position as the most successful men's Point-to-Point rider with over 343 winners, as well as an additional 50 winners under Rules. He was Mens' Champion Point-to-Point rider on eight occasions.
David Turner has been a racecourse steward since 1977, and is currently on the panels at Fakenham, Huntingdon, Newmarket and Yarmouth. He farms a 4,000 acre estate in Suffolk and his family continue to enjoy success owning and training point-to-pointers.
JOCKEY CLUB APPOINTMENTS 2001
At a meeting of the Stewards of the Jockey Club held on Monday 11th December, the following appointments were made:
Stewards
David Oldrey was elected as a Steward of The Jockey Club for three years and will serve as Deputy Senior Steward. Lord McGowan was elected as a Steward of The Jockey Club for three years and will serve as Chairman of the Licensing Committee. Mark Davies was elected as a Steward of The Jockey Club for three years and will serve as Racecourse and Point to Point Steward. Gurney Sheppard was re-elected as a Steward of The Jockey Club for three years and will serve as Chairman of the Security and Investigations Committee.
The following automatically become ex-officio Stewards of the Jockey Club*:
The Hon Sir David Sieff as a Jockey Club nominated Director on BHB
Christopher Sporborg as Chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust
George Paul as Chairman of Jockey Club Estates
The Stewards of the Jockey Club from January 1st 2001 will be as follows:
Christopher Spence - Senior Steward, Regulatory Steward, BHB Director
David Oldrey - Deputy Senior Steward
Christopher Hodgson - Regulatory Steward
Lord McGowan (Duncan) - Regulatory Steward
Mark Davies - Regulatory Steward
Major Michael Wyatt - Regulatory Steward
Gurney Sheppard - Regulatory Steward
Julian Richmond Watson - Jockey Club nominated Director on BHB
The Hon Sir David Sieff - Jockey Club nominated Director on BHB
Christopher Sporborg - Chairman of Racecourse Holdings Trust
George Paul - Chairman of Jockey Club Estates
Jockey Club Standing Committees
For 2001 the Regulatory Stewards will appoint Standing Committees as follows:
Regulatory Committee
Christopher Spence Senior Steward
Christopher Hodgson Disciplinary Steward
The Lord McGowan (Duncan) Licensing Steward
Mark Davies Racecourse Steward
Gurney Sheppard Security Steward
Michael Wyatt Steward
Christopher Foster Executive Director
Tony Goodhew Director of Racecourse Services
Malcolm Wallace Director of Regulation
Disciplinary Committee
Christopher Hodgson Chairman
Michael Wyatt Joint Deputy Chairman
Duke of Roxburghe (Guy) Joint Deputy Chairman
Tim Motley
Andrew Merriam
Alastair Macdonald-Buchanan
Stephen Webb
William Bethell
Disciplinary Committee Stewarding Arm
Gerald Maitland-Carew Chairman
Wentworth Beaumont
Christopher Hall
Anthony Mildmay-White
John Rose
Michael Wiggin
Licensing Committee
The Lord McGowan Chairman
Charles Lloyd-Baker
Lady Richard Wellesley (Joanna)
Fiona Whitaker
Susan Wood
FLAGSHIP KING GEORGE BID STILL IN BALANCE
Trainer Noel Chance has revealed that a decision will be later in the week as to whether Flagship Uberalles will take his chance in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
The six-year-old Accordion gelding suffered an overeach when landing the Double print Tingle Creek Trophy at Cheltenham last Saturday.
Chance explained: "The injury is in the bulb of the heel which means it is in an awkward place as the horse is standing on it all the time."
"He has got to get some work into him by the weekend but I am hopeful that the injury will heal quickly. I am just taking one day at a time."
SATURDAY MEETING AT WARWICK LOOKS DOUBTFUL
The meeting scheduled for Warwick on Saturday looks doubtful.
Hugo Bevan, Clerk of the Course at Warwick said this morning: "I'm afraid prospects are not very good. We couldn't have raced today.
"We'll probably inspect on Thursday for Saturday and that will be announced on Wednesday.
"It was dry on Monday night but the forecast is bad with an inch of rain forecast in the next 24 hours."
TOWCESTER AND EXETER ABANDONED
Thursday's meetings at both Towcester and Exeter have had to be abandoned due to waterlogging.
Hugo Bevan Towcester's Clerk of the Course said: We had four millimetres of rain overnight and the back straight is waterlogged. There is more rain expected on Tuesday afternoon and the forecast is appalling.
"And the way conditions are there is no way Towcester will be able to race on Thursday."
VALUABLE NEW RACE AT WARWICK NEXT MONTH
A new £40,000 chase will be staged at Warwick next month.
The three mile, two furlong Tote Scoop6 Warwickshire Gold Cup will be staged on January 13 for horses rated 0-150.
Christian Leech, Warwick's Racecourse manager stated: "This is our most valuable ever race by some considerable way, the previous richest being £22,000.
"With this significant increase in prize money we hope to attract top class handicappers.
"We have an excellent new £3 million grandstand and are now making a concerted effort to further improve the quality of racing and move Warwick up a division."
Rob Hartnett PR Director for sponsors the Tote added: "We are delighted to support such a great race at Warwick. In 2000 its predecessor, the Warwick National, was the race on which the Munchen Gladbackers went down in their quest to win over £1 million on the Scoop6. Hopefully this season's race will be equally exciting."
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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