Monday, April 28, 2003

INDIAN HAVEN IN RUDE HEALTH AHEAD OF SAGITTA 2000 GUINEAS CHALLENGE

The son of Indian Ridge was impressive on his seasonal bow when winning the Listed Victor Chandler European Free Handicap at Newmarket on April 16, showing a great turn of foot to draw clear of his five rivals, beating Baron's Pit by two and a half lengths.

"Indian Haven has come out of the Free Handicap very well and he's done all of his work [before the Sagitta 2000 Guineas] now," commented the trainer.

D'Arcy took out his training licence in April,1998, having previously been employed as a work rider by Sir Michael Stoute for eight years and a jockey. He has already had some fine horses through his hands, including Lady High Havens, the short-head runner-up to Silent Honor in the Group Two Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket in 2001, and Forest Magic, who was successful in the Listed Zetland Stakes at Newmarket last year, but he is particularly keen on Indian Haven.

He said: "Indian Haven is the best horse that I've trained so far - before him it was Forest Magic."

Despite D'Arcy's belief in his charge and the facile manner of his success in the European Free Handicap, a recognised trial for first classic, the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, Indian Haven is still available at 33/1 with some of the leading bookmakers. However, the Newmarket-based handler is unconcerned about their lack of faith.

"I'm not a bookmaker - I'm a racehorse trainer. It doesn't affect me what odds that they price horses up at as I don't bet so it makes no difference to me," he added.

Indian Haven will have no easy task at the weekend as all of the leading hopes for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas are among the 28 who at today's five-day confirmation stage have stood their ground including ante-post favourite, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Hold That Tiger. He is one of six entries from the Irish trainer, who are completed by Dalcassian, Delacroix, France, Some Kind Of Tiger and Tomahawk.

The other powerhouse of European racing, Godolphin, still has three possibles in the form of Lateen Sails, currently second favourite, Bourbonnais and Songlark.

Dermot Weld, who has secured so many top-class international victories, could run Refuse To Bend and Evolving Tactics, while Muqbil is the sole representative of John Dunlop. Last year's Darley Dewhurst Stakes hero Tout Seul is bidding for a second top-class victory at Newmarket, while the unbeaten Audience has been the subject of significant market support in recent days following the announcement that champion jockey Kieren Fallon is to ride the Highclere Throughbred Racing -owned colt.

Summitville is to make her seasonal debut in Sunday's 320,000 Group One Sagitta 1000 Guineas at Newmarket according to trainer James Given. The Grand Lodge filly is one of 28 entries confirmed today for the fillies classic and she has the honour of being Given's first classic contestant.

The trainer said: "Summitville is very much an intended runner in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas. We're very pleased with the way she's done [over the winter] - she's not the most furnished of fillies, she's tall and a bit leggy but her work at home and on a racecourse gallop has all been very pleasing."

Last season Summitville made a winning racecourse debut in a maiden at Newmarket in July, before finding leading Sagitta 1000 Guineas hopeful Soviet Song three lengths too powerful in the Listed Milcars Sweet Solera Stakes, also at Newmarket, the following month.

She was then victorious in the Group Three May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on September 12, getting the better of Approach by one and a half lengths. On the last start of her juvenile career in the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile at Ascot later in the same month, she was eight-lengths eighth to old rival Soviet Song.

Asked how he felt ahead of his first classic runner, Given responded: "I'm very, very excited but I'm slightly able to deflect some of my nerves because the owners and I strongly believe that the Guineas is a bonus race for Summitville.

"She's a middle-distance horse and she's going to want 10 or 12 furlongs. We've always felt that we're going to run in the Guineas because it's there and we can and we hope that she runs well but the expectation will be higher for later in the year."

Given's belief that his stable star is a middle-distance horse in the making means that he will be extremely pleased if she finished near the placed horses in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas.

"I would be absolutely delighted with fourth or fifth - the old saying is back the fourth in the Guineas for the Derby or the Oaks isn't it!" he enthused.

All of the leading fancies remain in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, including the two French-trained fillies who head the betting market - Six Perfections, trained by Pascal Bary, and the Andre Fabre-trained Intercontinental.

Soviet Song could bid to give James Fanshawe a first British classic, Russian Rhythm is reported to be on course to compete although connections would prefer another week to prepare their filly, and Godolphin have four possibles including Mezzo Soprano, Echoes In Eternity, Hi Dubai and Gonfilia.

Aidan O'Brien also has the choice of four - Yesterday, In The Limelight, L'Ancresse and Shangri La.

KEEP UP ON THE PREMIERSHIP TITLE RACE

Those coming to Newmarket for the Sagitta Guineas Meeting and anxious not to miss out on the race for the Premiership title can relax!

Newmarket will have a giant screen behind the stands showing live and uninterrupted coverage of the big matches, Manchester United versus Charlton from 12.30pm on Saturday, May 3, and Arsenal versus Leeds from 4.05pm on Sunday, May 4.

Thus, those who want to see the football can do so and those who don't will not have their enjoyment of the racing compromised in any way.

"Newmarket racegoers will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds - the season's first Classics and the decisive Premiership matches over the weekend," commented Lisa Hancock, Newmarket's Managing Director. "The Rowley Mile is the place to be on Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4!"

THE SAGITTA 2000 GUINEAS

Group One, Class A, Showcase Race, Newmarket, Saturday, May 3, 2003, one mile, total prize fund 320,000. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st, fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed Wednesday, March 5, 2003 (108 entries), entries released Wednesday, March 19, 2003, forfeit stage Tuesday, April 22, 2003 (35 remain), five-day confirmation stage Monday, April 28, 2003 (28 remain), 48-hour declaration stage 10am, Thursday, May 1, 2003. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to Sunday, April 27, 2003 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
11- AUDIENCE 3 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing II William Haggas
121-(3)(5) BOURBONNAIS (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
221002-3 CHECKIT (IRE) 3 Tim Corby Mick Channon
33-13 DALCASSIAN (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
15- DELACROIX (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
0-31 EVOLVING TACTICS (IRE) 3 Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
5313-41 FRANCE 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1101(3)- HOLD THAT TIGER (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
163213-1 HURRICANE ALAN (IRE) 3 Mrs D. M. Wight Richard Hannon
1650-1 INDIAN HAVEN 3 Peter Gleeson and Julian Smith Paul D'Arcy
233110- JAY GEE'S CHOICE 3 John Guest Mick Channon
1- LATEEN SAILS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
32-(1)(1)(0)2 LUNDY'S LANE (IRE) 3 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
01131-0 MAKHLAB (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
23320-(1)(2)3 MEMBERSHIP (USA) 3 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
111220-3 MISTER LINKS (IRE) 3 Coriolan Links Partnership III Richard Hannon
211523-3 MONSIEUR BOND (IRE) 3 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
12-1 MUQBIL (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
11440- NORSE DANCER (IRE) 3 Jeff Smith David Elsworth
11-1 REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) 3 Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
11-4 ROCKETS 'N ROLLERS (IRE) 3 M. Mulholland Richard Hannon
6115-4 SATURN (IRE) 3 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing V Michael Bell
221-6 SOME KIND OF TIGER (USA) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Robert Sangster Aidan O'Brien IRE
115-(2) SONGLARK 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
110500-5 TIZZY MAY (FR) 3 J. R. May Richard Hannon
1222(0)-14 TOMAHAWK (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
121121- TOUT SEUL (IRE) 3 Eden Racing Fulke Johnson Houghton
212154-2 ZAFEEN (FR) 3 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

28 entries remain
8 Irish-trained entries

LATEST LADBROKES PRICES

Sagitta 2000 Guineas
1m, Newmarket, Sat 3rd May 2003
2 Hold That Tiger, 4 Lateen Sails, 8 Refuse To Bend, 10Muqbil, 10 Tomahawk, 10 Tout Seul, 16 Audience, 16 Hurricane Alan, 25 Songlark, 33 Indian Haven, 33 Saturn, 33 Zafeen, 40 Lundy´s Lane, 40 Makhlab, 40 Norse Dancer, 50 Bourbonnais, 50 Checkit, 50 Dalcassian, 50 Delacroix, 50 France, 50 Membership, 50 Mister Links, 66 Evolving Tactics, 66 Rockets ´n Rollers, 66 Some Kind Of Tiger, 100 Monsieur Bond, 100 Tizzy May, 150 Jay Gee´s Choice (1/4 odds 1,2,3)

THE SAGITTA 1000 GUINEAS
Group One, Class A, Showcase Race, Newmarket, Sunday, May 4, 2003, one mile, total prize fund 320,000. For three-year-old fillies only. Weights: 9st each. Entries closed Wednesday, March 5, 2003 (80 entries), entries released Wednesday, March 19, 2003, forfeit stage Tuesday, April 22, 2003 (32 remained), five-day confirmation stage Monday, April 28, 2003, (28 remain) 48-hour declaration stage 10am, Friday, May 2, 2003. (Form figures from Weatherbys correct up to Sunday, April 27, 2003 and may not include some overseas form).

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
213- AL IHTITHAR (IRE) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Barry Hills
34122- CASUAL LOOK (USA) 3 William Farish III Andrew Balding
3110- DUTY PAID (IRE) 3 Jeff Smith David Elsworth
1- ECHOES IN ETERNITY (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
00 FLASHING BLADE 3 W D McClennon Bryan McMahon
11-(2) GONFILIA (GER) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
01- HANAMI 3 G B Partnership James Toller
12-3 HECTOR'S GIRL 3 N Ahamad Sir Michael Stoute
2- HI DUBAI 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
113-1 INTERCONTINENTAL 3 Khalid Abdulla Andre Fabre FR
563146-4 IN THE LIMELIGHT (IRE) 3 Diane Nagle & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
151-1 KHULOOD (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
15-2 L'ANCRESSE (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
002351-4 LADY MYTTON 3 Gordon Mytton Alan Bailey
126- LONDONNETDOTCOM (IRE) 3 Derek and Jean Clee Mick Channon
022-23 LOOK HERE'S CAROL (IRE) 3 S L Edwards Bryan McMahon
1-(1) MEZZO SOPRANO (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
21330-1 NASIJ (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop
016030-0 PRESTO VENTO 3 I A N Wight Richard Hannon
1112- RUSSIAN RHYTHM (USA) 3 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
3 SHANGRI LA (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
2111-1 SIX PERFECTIONS (FR) 3 Niarchos Family Pascal Bary FR
111- SOVIET SONG (IRE) 3 Elite Racing Club James Fanshawe
3110- SPINOLA (FR) 3 The Winning Set Peter Harris
1210- SUMMITVILLE 3 Mountain High Partnership James Given
31-1 TANTE ROSE (IRE) 3 Wafic Said Barry Hills
12415-(2)0 WIMPLE (USA) 3 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
012631- YESTERDAY (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Roisin Henry Aidan O'Brien IRE

28 entries remain
4 Irish-trained
2 French-trained

LATEST LADBROKES PRICES

Sagitta 1000 Guineas
1m, Newmarket, Sun 4th May 2003
11/4 Six Perfections, 4 Intercontinental, 9/2 Soviet Song, 6 Russian Rhythm, 8 Mezzo Soprano, 14 Hector´s Girl, 14 Khulood, 14 Tante Rose, 16 Gonfilia, 20 Yesterday, 33 Echoes In Eternity, 33 Hi Dubai, 33 Nasij, 40 Casual Look, 40 Hanami, 40 Summitville, 50 L´Ancresse, 50 Londonnetdotcom, 50 Spinola, 66 Al Ihtithar, 66 Duty Paid, 66 Shangri La, 100 Flashing Blade, 100 In The Limelight, 100 Presto Vento, 100 Wimple, 200 Lady Mytton, 200 Look Here´s Carol (1/4 odds 1,2,3)

PREPARATIONS COMPLETE FOR IRISH NATIONAL HUNT FESTIVAL

The brilliant Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Moscow Flyer is one of eight runners declared for the feature Group 1 BMW Chase at 3.15pm, which this year carries 120,000 euros in prize money.

Latalomne, who was travelling well when unseating jockey Vinnie Keane at Cheltenham, reopposes as does the 2002 Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Flagship Uberalles, who was withdrawn from Sandown on Saturday, Killultagh Storm, a winner at Fairyhouse last week who was beaten a short-head in last year's race, and Tresor De Mai, trained by Martin Pipe. The BMW Chase line-up is completed by Arctic Copper, Fadoudal Du Cochet and Knife Edge.

There is a great clash between Back In Front, Edward O'Grady's runaway winner of the Gerrard Wealth Management Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Venetia Williams' fast-improving Limerick Boy, winner of the Grade 1 Novices' Hurdle at Aintree, in the Grade 1 Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at 4.25pm.

Joly Bey, trained by Paul Nicholls for the Million In Mind Partnership, clashes with the Tony Mullins-trained Barrow Drive in the Grade 3 Ellier Developments Novice Chase at 2.40pm while the richest National Hunt Flat Race ever run, the 100,000 euros Bewleys Hotels and European Breeders Fund National Hunt Fillies Championship Bumper at 5pm has predictably drawn a maximum field of 30.

There is record prize money of over 1.6 million euros at this year's Irish National Hunt Festival, running through to Friday, and with excellent advance bookings daily crowds of up to 20,000 are anticipated.

The official going for the start of the 2003 Irish National Hunt Festival is set to be GOOD TO YIELDING.

Richie Galway, Punchestown's Director of Racing, said today: "We had five millimetres of rain overnight and have changed the going to Good To Yielding as a result. We have had light drizzle through Monday and I don't anticipate that the ground will significantly change before the start of racing. We have a sunshine and showers forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday with some possible heavier rain later in the week."

"INTEGRITY THROUGH MERITOCRACY" PROPOSED BY THE RACING REVIEW COMMITTEE

Underpinning the Committee's proposals are six key aims:

* Re-establish the consumer's faith in the integrity of the sport

* Put in place an improved meritocracy system

* Reverse Racing's loss of market share of betting and maximise Racing's income from betting

* Ensure that all classes of horse are provided with racing opportunities rather than suffer elimination from the system, on condition that they are rewarded according to their merit

* Sustain the diversity of British Racing

* Maintain and develop the British Breeding Industry

Recommendations in Part One of the report cover the eight elements of the Racing Product:

* Fixtures

* Race Planning

* Handicaps

* Prize Money

* Appearance Money

* Race Entry and Declaration

* National Hunt Racing

* The British Breeding Industry

The Committee recommends the introduction of a new structure for the Racing Product, which will re-establish the consumer's belief in its integrity through the creation of a true meritocracy on the basis of:



* The creation of 3 Tier Racing - Premier Racing, National Racing and Regional Racing

* The introduction of a 5 Class system for the Flat where each Class approximates to a 10-15lb range

* The narrowing of the handicap bands from up to 30lbs to 10-15lbs for all but a very small number of Flat handicaps

* The establishment of substantial prize money differentials between each Class

* Significant changes to the handicapping regulations

The Chairman of the Committee, BHB Chairman Peter Savill, commented: "I firmly believe that the structure that we have recommended is the blueprint for the future health of British Racing in the 21st century. By putting in place a true meritocracy, the consumer's faith in the integrity of our sport can be re-established.

"It is now up to us to persuade the Office of Fair Trading that this structure is in the best interests of the consumer, whom the OFT is tasked with protecting."

HUNT CUP IS BIG SATURDAY RACE AT THIRSK

This year's renewal of The Thirsk Hunt Cup has record prize money of £20,000 and this contest over one mile has been a feature race at Thirsk for well over a century. Last year's race attracted the maximum field of 18 runners, and was won by Tedstale, trained at Great Habton near Malton by Tim Easterby. Indeed, Tedstale may be in the line-up for Saturday's big race, attempting to win the prize again, after his latest success at Newcastle on Easter Monday.

Saturday's card also includes The Tote Exacta Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs with prize money of £14,000, while local personality and octogenarian, Harry Whitton, once again supports a race for maiden three-year-olds in memory of his wife, Alice, who passed away in 2000, aged 82. Harry and Alice were married for 57 years and always enjoyed racing and owning horses.

The Bob Jones Ragtime Band provide the musical entertainment, while a clown and face painter will keep youngsters amused in the Family Ring.

The action from Newmarket, which includes the first Classic of the season, the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas, will be shown on the CCTV's situated in all areas of the racecourse, with betting facilities geared up to accept wagers on races at the 'away' fixtures.

BANK HOLIDAY ACTION AT HUNTINGDON

As always, children will be admitted FREE and the hugely popular FREE funfair will be returning for the day. In order to offer the best possible value for money the Racecourse has reduced adult admission prices to £10 for all enclosures and £6 per person in the picnic car park. Tables can be reserved in the Peterborough Chase Restaurant offering viewing over both the paddock area and racecourse. In addition a small number or private hospitality boxes are available at discounted rates.

Despite fears over the 'going' at Easter, following a particularly dry spell, Mike Newman and his ground staff team's efforts did not go un-rewarded. Top trainer Ferdy Murphy commented in the local press on April 22nd, 'We have been on the phone to him all the time and he's done a brilliant job.'

Since then a combination of rainfall and irrigation has improved the ground slightly to good to firm, good in places. Acting Clerk of the Course, Ed Gretton, hopes the ground will remain the same and will be keeping an eye on the weather in case there is a need for further irrigation.

Gates open at 12.30 with the first of six races setting off at 2.20 p.m. and the last race commencing at 5.00 p.m. Racecourse Manager, Tina Dawson, said ' this is the first of four meetings we are holding in May and the team are looking forward to an hectic but rewarding end to the season'.

TOMORROW'S JOCKEY CLUB APPEALS

Graham Bradley has put in writing a request to the Chairman of the Appeal Board asking for, on compassionate grounds, an extension to the time in which he can lodge an appeal to the High Court. Having considered the request and consulted with the two other members of the Appeal Board, the Direction made under Appendix J regulation 37 on 8th April 2003 is hereby amended to provide as follows:

The Appeal Board's decision in this case shall come into effect at 4pm on Tuesday 27th May 2003 unless before that time Graham Bradley issues and serves Particulars of Claim in High Court proceedings challenging the Appeal Board's decision and an application notice seeking an interim injunction to prevent implementation of the decision. If Graham Bradley does that then, upon his undertaking through his Counsel to pursue any such proceedings with reasonable despatch, the decision shall not come into effect until 4pm on Monday 7th July 2003.

For the avoidance of doubt any further Order/Direction preventing implementation of the Appeal Board's decision must be obtained from the High Court.

Note: The Appeal Board is comprised of an independent legally qualified Chairman, supported by two members of the Jockey Club. Graham Bradley's hearing was chaired by Sir Edward Cazalet, supported by Anthony Mildmay-White and Fiona Whitaker.

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

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