Tuesday, April 29, 2003

FLAGSHIP PREVAILS AS FLYER UNSHIPS GERAGHTY

The winner, who is trained by Philip Hobbs and was bought by owner J P McManus earlier this season, looked set to put up a good fight against Moscow Flyer when the favourite made his mistake.

"Richard (Johnson) said he felt brilliant today - as well as he has been in the past. I'd love to see the replay," said Hobbs. "He would have run on from the second last anyway, he always does.

"When he ran in the Tingle Creek this season it was a disaster because he nearly fell, then we were really running on a wing and a prayer in the King George at Kempton and I thought blinkers might help at Cheltenham last time but they probably made him a bit keen and he never travelled well.

"The Sandown race on Saturday looked the easiest option but we withdrew him because he must have a bit of soft in the ground. Ideally he'd want it good-to-soft.

"That's it for this season and I don't think there's really anything else before the Tingle Creek (at Sandown on December 6) so you probably won't see him until then."

McManus added: "You need a bit of good fortune and I suppose a little bit of luck never goes astray.

"It (Moscow Flyer's fall) was too far out to say what would have happened but Moscow Flyer is a very good champion and we are delighted to be in the winner's enclosure.

"We have a few with chances during the Festival, including Kickham in the bumper tomorrow, but nothing to get too carried away about."

Earlier, Wexford permit-holder Seamus Neville enjoyed his biggest career success when Heart Midoltian sprang a 16/1 surprise in the Grade 3 Ellier Developments Novice Chase.

"This is my first Punchestown winner and he was my first Fairyhouse winner when successful last time out," said Neville, who trains just four horses.

"He possibly had a bit of luck today (when favourite Barrow Drive fell) but he won well at Fairyhouse and likes this good ground. I bought him already named in France as an unbroken two-year-old and have had him ever since. He has had breathing problems and had a wind operation.

"The Galway Plate could possibly be on the cards now."

Runner-up Joly Bey has run his last race for his Million In Mind ownership syndicate.

Bloodstock agent David Minton, who manages the partnership, said: "The ground might have been a bit quick, I think it was plenty fast enough for him.

"I'm pretty sure (trainer) Paul Nicholls won't be able to find anything else for him and he goes to Doncaster Sales next month."

O'GRADY, HUGHES, FITZGERALD AND HOBBS ASSESS THEIR PUNCHESTOWN PROSPECTS

"I'm very much looking to Mutineer," said Hughes. "He seems to be improving all the time and he was not beaten far at Cheltenham when knocked around a bit.

"Leinster was very good at Liverpool and he seems to have come on from that. This (Punchestown) race was always the plan and this is his track and his ground."

Edward O'Grady has several live chances and he is looking forward to running Kickham in tomorrow's Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race and Pizarro, who is entered in both the Menolly Homes Champion Novice Hurdle and Ballymore Properties Champion Stayers Hurdle.

"On his best form Kickham should go well, in my book he should have beaten Beef Or Salmon at the Curragh on the Flat last time out. He's a winner of three with no penalty and it's his day if he is to ever put his best foot forward although it is a good race.

"Pizarro will like the ground and fell after only a mile at Aintree. He has come home well."

Philip Hobbs, who runs Flagship Uberalles in today's BMW Chase, will have a handful of runners all week, including Double Honour on Friday.

"Double Honour was a very good Flat horse but has not been at his best in the very good races over hurdles in England," said Hobbs.

Jockey Mick Fitzgerald said: "Nas Na Riogh (in the IAWS Champion 4YO Hurdle) would be the one I'm looking forward to. She needs every drop of rain we can get but is a very good filly on soft. She has beaten a lot of these good French horses when she won the Finale Hurdle.

"Nicky (Henderson) has got no real standouts but I've picked up some good rides because of Paul Carberry being unfortunately injured, including Thari who I believe is quietly fancied tomorrow."

Dina Smith confirmed today that her stable star Ibal will contest Thursday's Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase over two miles, with Leighton Aspell taking the ride.

NEW £20M STAND SET TO AUGMENT THE YORK EXPERIENCE

Designed with spectators in mind, the building consolidates the formula of the Knavesmire Stand, opened in 1996, in providing first-class viewing and catering facilities for County Stand racegoers, with private areas for sponsors and hospitality guests.

Offering views of the home straight and winning post, the Ebor Stand contains 1,000 seats and viewing areas for standing spectators.

Its features include six public bars, an 80-seat bistro, three buffet bars, a 350-seat restaurant, six private boxes and a sponsors' suite.

Using twenty-first century technology, the stand also contains plasma screens, six fast lifts and an escalator, as well as seven terraces, floor-to-ceiling glass walls and free-standing balconies.

Explaining the thinking behind the stand, Lord Halifax, chairman of York Race Committee, said: "The top quality horses we attract are the stars of our meetings and the prime focus of our efforts; they'll only continue to race here if we keep drawing large crowds, and large crowds expect top quality facilities.

"We operate in a highly competitive leisure market and only by constantly updating facilities to meet the demands of modern racegoers for high quality design, comfort and accessibility can we succeed in maintaining the outstanding attendances of the last two seasons, when over 260,000 people each year visited the course."

The new building offers spectacular views eastwards, including of the Millennium Bridge and York Minster.

York's status as host of 13 Group races each season is reflected as many of the stand's bars and suites are named after great horses, including Shirley Heights, Dante and Eclipse.

The purchase of a day County Stand badge, costing from £21, will give holders access to the building's ground, first and fifth floors. The second tier is for sponsors, their guests and full annual members. The third floor will contain private boxes and the fourth the Ebor Restaurant, a spectacular dine-and-view facility where seats must be booked in advance.

The stand has been funded through an £8m grant from the Horserace Betting Levy Board and a £12m loan from the Bank of Scotland.

Designed by Leeds architects the Goddard Wybor Practice and built by Sir Robert McAlpine, the Ebor Stand has an area of 1,200 square metres and the same height and width as the County Stand, which it has replaced.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "We want to make the experience of racing at York as enjoyable as possible, which means offering clear views of the track and easy access to food, drink and toilets. We delivered these with the Knavesmire Stand, now we're delighted they'll be available to County Stand racegoers and annual members too.

"Watching the stand take shape has been fascinating and seeing it all-but- complete is exciting for everyone who works here. We can't wait to see it full and are sure many spectators will want to be among the first to sample its top-quality environment for watching racing.

"I'm confident that racegoers will enjoy their days at York all the more because of the stand - and I hope this will mean more of them choosing to return soon and telling their friends about us."

STAND STATS

Among the new Ebor Stand's vital statistics are that it contains:

·200,000 bricks

·2,600 square metres of glass

·4,800 square metres of carpet

·1,400 tonnes of steel

·2,600 light fittings

·400 speakers

·50 Tote desks

·90 televisions and six plasma screens

·660 tables

·1,600 chairs

EBOR STAND NOT ONLY IMPROVEMENT AS YORK STAYS UP WITH LEADERS

The £20m Ebor Stand is among a host of improvements designed to ensure York stays among the leading pack of racecourses in the 2003 season.

Among the other physical upgrades for the new season are the complete refurbishing of the Moet & Chandon Pavilion, adjoining the parade ring. The upgrade was managed for Moet by Rupert Lendrum and designed by London-based Caroline Paterson Interiors. It marks the renewal of a working relationship between the champagne house and York dating back to 1985.

In addition, a full cash betting office has been installed beneath the Melrose Stand and certain facilities, such as cashpoints and a second big screen, previously only available to spectators on selected racedays, will be in place at all fixtures in 2003.

The press room has also been updated - though its much-loved façade, including distinctive barber-poles, has remained - and a new kitchen for the Gimcrack Restaurant has been installed.

Elsewhere, the entrance for owners and trainers has moved closer to the car park and lounge they use, and the jockeys' canteen has been redecorated and its menu updated.

Other changes include: the pre-parade ring has been returned to its original home in the northern corner of the course; the pre-parade and parade rings have been resurfaced, using the latest rubber blocking material; four new horse showers have been installed; extensive drainage works have been undertaken; and the running rail has been extended across the Knavesmire to the 12-furlong start, improving the safety and welfare of horses and people.

Chief executive and clerk of the course William Derby said: "In addition to major capital projects, such as the Ebor Stand, we have a programme of continuous improvements for other facilities at the course. We believe there is no finer experience in British racing than a day at York and these upgrades will ensure this state-of-affairs is maintained in 2003."

Less tangible changes for the new season include the introduction of an online ticket booking system, accessible through the course's relaunched internet site, yorkracecourse.co.uk. Known as RABITS (Racecourse Advanced Booking Information Ticketing System), it is a browser-based facility using the latest technology and web design techniques.

Built by Dezap and designed by Design Forum - both Leeds-based companies - the system produces personalised tickets and address labels, following the inputting of each applicants' details by course staff only once.
Explaining the thinking behind the system, course marketing manager James Brennan said: "It is allowing us to improve our customer service in a wide variety of ways, as it not only improves our efficiency in handling ticket applications but frees-up a good deal of staff time which can now be spent on other aspects of our operations."

ANOTHER EXCITING SEASON AHEAD AT YORK

York's blend of top horses, tremendous racing, great facilities, leading jockeys, trainers and owners will combine together again this year to produce the unique atmosphere that attracts so many racegoers to the Knavesmire.

The racing in 2003 promises to be even better because of continuing improvements to the race programme and there is boosted prize money of £3.8 million, a new record. This amounts to a 7% increase, and is a percentage rise that applies to both the Pattern races and the balance of a competitive programme.

The May meeting sets the pattern with The Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes having moved to the opening day of the campaign, Tuesday, May 13, and been upgraded from Group Three to Group Two status, with prize money for the six-furlong event increased from £60,000 to £100,000 . Last season's renewal was won by the John Dunlop-trained Invincible Spirit, who proved a neck too strong for Mugharreb and went on to win the Group One Sprint Cup at Haydock later in the year.

The Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes also falls on York's opening day. This extended 10-furlong contest is recognised as the leading trial for three-year-old fillies hoping to compete in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom in June and in 2003, prize money has increased by £10,000 bringing the total to £60. Reams Of Verse won the Tattersalls Musidora in 1997 for trainer Henry Cecil and went on to score in the Oaks the following month. Six other of the last 11 winners of the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes were placed in the Epsom classic- 2000 Kalypso Katie (2nd), 1999 Zahrat Dubai (3rd), 1998 Bahr (2nd), 1995 Pure Grain (3rd), 1994 Hawajiss (3rd) and 1992 All At Sea (2nd). The 2002 victor Islington ran disappointingly in the Oaks but ended the year as the joint top-rated filly in the International Classifications after bouncing back with impressive victories in two Group One races, the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks back on the Knavesmire.

The highlight of the second day of the May Meeting (May 14) is the £145,000 Group Two Tote Dante Stakes, the well-known classic trial for colts over an extended 10-furlongs, sponsored by the Tote for the first time. Last season's renewal of this famous race exemplified what a high-class contest it usually is. Godolphin's Moon Ballad held off Bollin Eric by a length and a quarter and then came third in the Derby, second in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes and won this year's Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in March; while the runner-up was successful in the final classic of 2002, the Group One St Leger at Doncaster. Where Or When, fourth in the Dante Stakes, subsequently won the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The last Dante Stakes winner to go on to success in the Derby was Benny The Dip in 1997, although Sakhee, the 2000 Dante winner, almost completed the double when finding just Sinndar too good at Epsom, while Erhaab win both races in 1994.

Moon Ballad's Dante success gave him the accolade of being the highest-rated winner of a Group Two three-year-old contest last season, as the Godolphin colt received a rating of 120 in the International Classifications.

This season's Group Two Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup, run on Thursday, May 15, is sponsored by Emirates Airline for the first time, with prize money increased to a record £140,000.Local trainer Mark Johnston won this exciting14-furlong event in 2002 courtesy of Zindabad who was then successful in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, winning by a length from Storming Home who proved top-class by winning the Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October.

The 2001 Yorkshire Cup was captured by Godolphin's Marienbard, who in 2002 won three Group One contests including France's most important race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Marienbard had the honour of being Godolphin's fourth winner of the Yorkshire Cup. The Maktoum family's racing entity took the 1995 and 1996 renewals with Moonax and Classic Cliche, who had both won the previous year's final classic, the St Leger at Doncaster. A month after winning the Yorkshire Cup, Classic Cliche also won the Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Godolphin's other winner was Kayf Tara three seasons ago. The son of Sadler's Wells had already won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1998 and he completed a double at the Royal Meeting, winning the same race in 2000.

There is more racing at the May Meeting this year, with the addition of a new seventh race on each of the three days, each worth £10,000.

Improvements in the race programme don't just mean more prize money, they also mean upgrades in the Pattern and 2003 is no exception to York's habit of improving its status.

The Cuisine de France Summer Stakes on July 11 and the Strensall Stakes on September 3 have both been upgraded from Listed to Group Three status, with the prize money for each event being raised to £50,000. Last year's Summer Stakes, a six-furlong contest for three-year-old and upwards fillies and mares, was worth £25,000, meaning that prize money has increased by 100% in 2003. The Toby Balding-trained Palace Affair has won the last two renewals of this event and another notable recent winner (1999) was the Peter Makin-trained Imperial Beauty who went on to win the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp under the tutelage of new trainer John Hammond.

The best winner of this nine-furlong Strensall Stakes contest in the last 10 renewals was the John Gosden-trained Muhtarram in 1993. He won the Group One Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on his next start and later won another top-class event in Italy as well as the Group Two Prince Of Wales's Stakes (now Group One) at Royal Ascot on two occasions. Gosden is a handler to follow in this event - he also took the 1994 running with Lower Egypt and last year's renewal with Binary File.

No review of York's upcoming season would be complete without reference to the Ebor Festival, York's big three-day meeting in August will this year offer prize money of £1.95 million, with the feature race, the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes, on Tuesday, August 19, increasing in value by £10,000 to £460,000, confirming its place as the third most valuable race run in Britain. The roll of honour for this extended ten-furlong contest since the inaugural running in 1972 reads like a who's who of top performers - Dahlia, Wollow, Troy, Triptych, Shady Heights, Rodrigo De Triano, Halling, Singspiel, Giant's Causeway and Sakhee. Last season Nayef added his name to this illustrious list when getting the better of his King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes conqueror Golan by half a length in a tremendous tussle, which will be remembered by racegoers for many years to come.

Nayef ended the campaign as the joint second-highest rated older horse in the Intermediate category on a mark of 125, just 1lb behind top-rated Grandera. The Juddmonte International is the final leg of the exciting British Horseracing Board's new incentive initiative, the £5-million Grand Slam.

The Group One Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks on Wednesday, August 20, is an opportunity for top middle-distance fillies and mares to display their athleticism.
Ramruma was the last filly to complete the Vodafone Oaks - Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks double in the same season, taking the Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks in between, in 1999.Last season's Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks went to the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Islington, who produced astonishing acceleration to win by five lengths from Guadalupe. Islington ended up as noted above with120 in the International Classifications, higher than Kazzia, the winner of the Epsom Oaks, on 119.

The other Group One contest at the August Meeting is the £200,000 Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs for two-year-olds and upwards on Thursday, August 21. The Henry Candy-trained Kyllachy, who was rated the top older sprinter in Europe in the International Classifications on a rating of 119, won last year.

The two big races for two-year-olds at the August Meeting are the six-furlong Group Two Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes worth £125,000 and the £85,000 Group Two Peugeot Lowther Stakes for fillies over the same trip. The former contest in 2002 went to Godolphin's Country Reel, who denied Mister Links by half a length, while Peugeot Lowther Stakes was won by Sir Michael Stoute's Sagitta 1000 Guineas hope Russian Rhythm, who came from a seemingly impossible position to beat Irish raider Danaskaya by one and a quarter lengths.

This meeting also has Britain's richest handicap, the £190,000 Tote Ebor, and the foremost St Leger trial, the Group Two Daily Telegraph Great Voltigeur Stakes which is worth £150,000.

Commenting on the season ahead, William Derby the new Chief Executive & Clerk of the Course said, "last season saw York races rise to the very top of the rankings and we remain committed to developing excellence; so once again, prize money has gone up across the board, and we've enhanced our pattern race status. All this and an investment of £20 million in a new grandstand, it promises to be another thrilling season."

BRIAN BORU HEADS CLASSIC HOPEFUL ENTRIES FOR TOTE DANTE STAKES

A total of 59 top-class three-year-olds stood their ground for the £145,000 Group Two Tote Dante Stakes at York on Wednesday, May 14, 2003, at last week's forfeit stage.

This prestigious extended 10-furlong contest is the richest of the of the main trials for the Vodafone Derby in June, and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Brian Boru, currently second favourite for the Derby, is among the possibles for the Tote Dante Stakes. Brian Boru won two of his three starts last season, including the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October, when proving one and a quarter lengths too strong for stable companion Powerscourt.

The Sadler's Wells colt is one of 16 O'Brien representatives, who also include Hold That Tiger, who was successful in the Group One Grand Criterium at Longchamp in October last year, before finishing third to Vindication in the Grade One Breeders' Cup Juvenile on dirt at Arlington Park, later in the same month, plus Balestrini and Alberto Giacometti, first and third respectively in the Group Three Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on April 13. The champion trainer's contingent is completed by Arundel, Catcher In The Rye, Dalcassian, Delacroix, France, Some Kind Of Tiger, Fontanesi, Gianfanti, Roosevelt, The Great Gatsby, Warhol and Wordsworth.

Godolphin, successful with Moon Ballad last year, has six possibles including Lateen Sails, who was victorious on his only outing in a Newmarket maiden last season for former trainer Henry Cecil and won a private Godolphin trial at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, earlier in April, getting the better of Graikos by one and three-quarter lengths. New South Wales, unbeaten in two runs for John Oxx in Ireland in 2002, and Love You Always were the promising fifth and seventh respectively in that trial, Bourbonnais has proven form at York, winning last August's Listed Acomb Stakes, while Godolphin's final entry is Songlark who ran well when the close second to Victory Moon in the Group Two UAE Derby on dirt at Nad Al Sheba last month.

Barry Hills intends to run Dunhill Star, the head second to Magistretti in Newmarket's Feilden Stakes, in the Tote Dante.

Jimmy Lindley, the former top Flat jockey who is racing manager to Seymour Cohn, revealed that the Amanda Perrett-trained Cat Ona High, a dual winner in 2002, is a possible for the Tote Dante Stakes. He said : "Cat Ona High has just come back into work and he's wintered well and the Tote Dante is one of the options that we've got for him. Basically, we'll see how he progresses in his work up until then." The furthest that Cat Ona High has won over is a mile on his last start in a conditions event at Sandown in October, when a head too powerful for Choir Master. "It's a question of whether he really gets a mile and a half - I think basically the chances are he would get a mile and a quarter OK but we'll have to wait and see. Nobody knows until they prove it on a racecourse," he added.

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York, commented: "The Tote Dante is established as a top classic trial and once again many of the leading names in the Epsom betting look set for York, rewarding the Tote for stepping in to support this great race which also has developed the knack of picking out future 4 year old stars."
John Gosden is aiming Derby entry Ikhtyar, the easy winner of a conditions race at Sandown on April 25, at the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Glasgow Stakes on Thursday, May 15.

The £100,000 Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes at York on Tuesday, May 13, has been upgraded to Group Two status in 2003, rising sharply in value. A healthy 37 entries remain in the six-furlong contest after the forfeit stage a week ago, including a number who have proved themselves at the highest level.

The John Gosden-trained Malhub won the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last season, seeing off Danehurst by a length and a half, before finishing the half-length runner-up to Kyllachy, the top-rated European sprinter in the 2002 International Classifications, in the Group One Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York in August.

Gosden has also entered three-year-old Oasis Dream, the top-rated two-year-old in last year's International Classifications, who showed amazing speed when winning the Group One Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in October. Kyllachy's trainer, Henry Candy, could this time rely upon Airwave, a filly in her classic season who won last year's Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on October 4, showing too much dash for Russian Rhythm, who is currently a leading fancy for next month's Sagitta 1000 Guineas, to deny that rival by a length and a half.

Newmarket trainer William Haggas is considering running four-year-old Suntagonal who previously raced well in South Africa, winning in Group One company there.

Godolphin has entered established Group One performer Three Points and the in-form pair of Firebreak and Feet So Fast.

Any representatives of Thirsk-based trainer David Nicholls must always be respected in sprints. Bahamian Pirate was the half-length runner-up to stablemate Continent in the 2002 Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket, while Captain Rio won a Group Two contest at Maisons-Laffitte by eight lengths in 2001 and scored by the same distance in a Listed contest at the Curragh last year.

"The response to the elevation of the Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes has been tremendous, and it provides a sprint to whet the appetite for the season ahead" said William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York.

The last two winners of the Group One St Leger are both among the 39 remaining entries for the Group Two Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at the Knavesmire on Thursday, May 15.

The Tim Easterby-trained Bollin Eric was the highly popular Yorkshire winner of the season's final British classic in 2002, the St Leger, when he stayed on well to defeat Highest by one and a quarter lengths. Easterby has nominated the Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup as the race Bollin Eric will make his debut in this year.

The previous season the Aidan O'Brien-trained Milan was a wide-margin scorer in the St Leger, beating his nine rivals by five lengths but he missed most of the last season.

Ten-year-old Persian Punch, trained by David Elsworth, is one of the best-loved horses in training. The Persian Heights gelding, who has twice won the Group Three Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Stakes at York, looks to be losing none of his ability as he gets older, winning the Group Three Jockey Club Cup on his last outing at Newmarket in October. He is set to have his first start of the season in this race, which he has run in four times already, coming third in 1998 and fourth last year.

The Mark Johnston-trained Zindabad, who won last year's renewal of the Yorkshire Cup by one and a half lengths from Boreas, could bid to gain back-to-back victories in this prestigious event. As well as Highest, Godolphin, who have won this race four times, can choose from the talented trio of Pugin, Fight Your Corner and Mamool.

Other possibles include last year's Group Two King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot winner Balakheri and the Clive Brittain-trained Warrsan, successful in the Group Three Dubai Irish Village Stakes at Newbury on his seasonal bow on April 12.

All in all the May meeting looks set to live up to its record as a major form indicator for the rest of the season and the first step to glory for the best in thoroughbreds

TRAINERS' THOUGHTS AT YORK TODAY

Three leading trainers, Mark Johnston, David Nicholls and James Given, were interviewed by Jim McGrath, of Timeform and Channel 4 Racing, today at York's media launch of the 2003 season.

Johnston is hoping that Zindabad can repeat his 2002 success in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup, sponsored this year for the first time by Emirates Airline and worth £140,000 when run on Thursday, May 15.

The trainer, who had seven winners at York in 2002 including three at the May Meeting, commented: "I hope Zindabad can win again. He ran very disappointingly in Dubai, getting flattened on the home turn. We hope he is as well as ever. He tends to really peak in the summer but he obviously won the Yorkshire Cup last year and there is no reason why he shouldn't again.

"Zindabad will be our number one for the May Meeting. Helm Bank is in the Tote Dante (£145,000, Group Two, Wednesday, May 14). I have been struggling to get him ready and I thought that the Tote Dante was a safer target than trying to get him ready for the Guineas meeting.

"He worked well just the other day and I took the plunge and entered in a re-opened Listed race at the weekend. I am not sure he is ready to run and he could go straight to the Dante.

"When Desert Deer won at Sandown the other day over a mile, it finally put the nail in the coffin of any plans to step him up to a mile and quarter so he does not come into the Triple Crown/Grand Slam picture.

"I watched Bandari work this morning - he had a spin with Zindabad - and for the first time it came into my mind that he could come back to a mile and a quarter. There were times last year - in the run up to the St Leger - that people were saying that he would be ideally suited by a mile and three quarters. After the Leger, we decided that a mile and a half was the trip but this morning he was so sharp - sharper than ever before - and it might be possible to run him over a mile and a quarter.

"Two weeks is a long time for a two-year-old and we will be thinking about bringing our first wave of what we are thinking are our good ones to York in May.

"Part of having Darley or Sheikh Mohammed two-year-olds is finding something good enough to go to Godolphin and last year it was Bourbonnais. I accepted that a long time ago."

David Nicholls reflected on the victory of Ya Malak - who dead-heated with Coastal Bluff - in the 1997 Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes at York's August Meeting.

"Alex Greaves (his wife) was the first lady to ride a Group One winner in Britain and it was our first Group One winner. It was a great day and great day for Yorkshire as we are Yorkshire people.

"Any winner at York makes for a good day. It is very difficult at York and, if you have a winner, you are pretty proud really. We had three nice winners last year and if we can have three winners this year then I think we will have had a good year.

"Continent now usually gets a 7lb, 8lb or 10lb penalty in races and he will probably have his first race at Royal Ascot in the Jubilee Stakes where he doesn't get a penalty. It is hard to have a 10lb penalty in the spring. The handicapper says 3lb for a length so you are starting off on bad leg really.

"Bahamian Pirate never won last year. I thought he could have won the July Cup and he was dead unlucky in the Prix l'Abbaye. He seems in really good order and he will go for the Palace House Stakes (at Newmarket this weekend) and then come to York for the Duke Of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes (Group Two, £100,000, six furlongs, Tuesday, May 13).

"Captain Rio will come straight to the Duke Of York and would get away with good to firm on a track like York because they look after the ground so well.

"Fire Up The Band is a lovely horse with a great attitude. He has been backward and you will probably see the best of him next year but he is a very nice horse."

James Given enjoyed success in the Tote Ebor, the handicap highlight of York's August Meeting, with Hugs Dancer last year.

He commented: "It was a long last half mile, let alone a long last furlong. He did so well for us last year and was only out of the money on one occasion, when fifth beaten only two lengths at Royal Ascot.

"I know that time does not mean everything but the time he won the Ebor in would have won four of the last five Yorkshire Cups.

"Hugs Dancer has got to do well in handicaps and step up on his handicap mark first before going for such races but we will keep our options open.

"I do feel I am under quite a bit more pressure this year. If we had a bad year this year, it would easy to say that we just got lucky last year.

"It is very important to keep the momentum going and prove that we can still do the job properly.

"Wunders Dream will hopefully run for the Palace House Stakes (at Newmarket) on Saturday if it is not too wet. She - as a three-year-old carrying a Group Two penalty - has a big uphill task this year.

"She is in the Duke Of York here. We ran her once over six furlongs in the Lowther last year and she did not run any sort of race that day so we are more likely to keep her at five furlongs, with the Nunthorpe being the target later in the year.

"Summitville is our first classic runner on Sunday (1,000 Guineas at Newmarket) and she is in great order - she worked this morning. I couldn't be happier with her. I know we trainers think geese are swans but she has been probably slightly overlooked as some of the horse she beat fair and square last year are significantly shorter in the betting but we will see what happens on Sunday."


NEW SEASON SEES A DERBY AT YORK

A new chief executive and clerk of the course will be supervising events at York this season.

William Derby, 32, has joined from Ascot, where he was commercial director. His appointment follows the retirement at the end of last season of John Smith, 65, who had been manager and clerk of the course since 1987.

A qualified chartered accountant, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers based in their Cambridge office. He had previously obtained a first-class degree from Wye College, London University, in agricultural economics.

During his time at Ascot Mr Derby completed a management course at Harvard Business School, Boston, USA and travelled extensively to racecourses and sporting venues in North America, in preparation for the Berkshire track's redevelopment. He says this experience will be put to good use as York unveils its new Ebor Stand.

He is a fully accredited clerk of the course who shadowed John Smith for six months at York last year. In appointing him, York Race Committee has followed its established practice of making the same person responsible for racing and business activities at the course.

Committee chairman Lord Halifax explained: "Appointing William to both roles continues a policy which has been outstandingly successful, as John Smith performed them with great distinction.

"There are significant advantages to this approach: as it ensures racing remains at the forefront of the thinking of the organisation as a whole and consistent communication is issued by the person at the head of the racing, commercial and managerial functions.

"We carried out an extensive search for John's successor and have no doubt we have found someone with the right background and outstanding potential, where both responsibilities are concerned."

Outlining his plans for his tenure in the roles, William Derby said: "I am committed to building on the legacy of the two Johns, Sanderson and Smith - my immediate predecessors - which has established York's reputation as one of the finest racecourses in the world."

James Hutchinson, clerk of the course at Ripon and Beverley and previously the holder of that role at Sedgefield and Newcastle, continues to be assistant clerk of the course at York.

Mr Derby has been steeped in equine sport since owning horses as a child, including an eventer he took from novice to advanced BHS level. Although he grew up in Sussex, his family links to Yorkshire are plentiful: a set of grandparents came from Sheffield and one of his maternal great-grandfathers was a surgeon based at The Mount, York, and was also Lord Mayor of the city.

The new chief executive and his wife Polly have set up home at Gilling, near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire. This has made it possible for him to ride-out for Brandsby-based National Hunt trainer Peter Beaumont.

PERSIAN PUNCH HAS NEW MEMBERS' BAR AT SALISBURY RACECOURSE

One of the main improvements is a new bar in the Members' Enclosure named in honour of Persian Punch, the tremendously tough performer trained at nearby Whitsbury by David Elsworth and owned by Jeff Smith.

Persian Punch recorded the second victory of his career at Salisbury back in June, 1996, and returned to the course last year when he was triumphant in the Catisfield & Hinton Stud Conditions Stakes, putting up a typically gutsy display to defy Warrsan by a short head. He received a tremendous reception from racegoers and has won 16 races in all.

The 10-year-old, who is in as good heart as every and is likely to make his seasonal debut at York on May 15, is at Salisbury today (Tuesday, April 29) to officially open the bar named after him.

Other upgrades include a new balcony attached to the Bibury Bar and a new public address system to improve both the clarity and accessibility of race commentaries.

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury's Clerk of the Course and Racecourse Manager, said: "Each year we like to make some improvements to the facilities and we are certain this year that our racegoers will notice an even greater difference."

Reflecting on the 2002 season, he commented: "We had some great racing and our usual good share of very nice two-year-olds. But Persian Punch's win and the equally exciting Sovereign Stakes were the highlights."

The quality of racing at Salisbury continues to go from strength to strength, with prize money set to break the £1-million mark for the first time over the 15 fixtures. There will now be five Listed races at Salisbury, compared to three in 2002.

Salisbury's most valuable race of the season is the £50,000 Listed Sovereign Stakes on August 14, a mile contest for three-year-old colts and geldings. Priors Lodge won for Wiltshire-based trainer Richard Hannon last year in a thrilling finish which saw less than two lengths cover the first six horses home.

Also taking place at the August meeting is the £44,000 Listed EBF Upavon Fillies Stakes over a mile and a quarter on August 13, a contest fillies and mares. Chorist was victorious in 2002, defeating Fraulein who subsequently went on to land the Grade One EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada.

A new Listed race for 2003 is the £35,000 EBF Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes on September 4 over six furlongs for two-year-old fillies. Crimplene won the equivalent event in 1999 and went on to win three Group One contests the following season - the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh, the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood. Crimplene's trainer Clive Brittain was also successful in last season's renewal with Wimple.

Another new Listed contest at Salisbury in 2003 is the £27,000 Stonehenge Stakes on August 13 over a mile for two-year-olds, with Ed Dunlop's Mubeen successful in 2002.

Completing the quintet of Listed races is the Axminster Carpets Cathedral Stakes on June 15, a six-furlong event for three-year-olds and upwards. This sprint, backed by regular Salisbury sponsors Axminster Carpets, was run for the first time last season and won by Toby Balding's Palace Affair.

Jeremy Martin added: "Salisbury is proud to have five Listed races but we would like to see the Sovereign Stakes upgraded to Group Three status in 2004. We deserve a Group race with the quality of horses we get here and our good attitude towards increasing prize money."

The great racing and improved facilities received recognition last season when the Racegoers Club voted Salisbury as the "Best Small Racecourse in the South West 2002" for the first time.

"We were really pleased with that award, as you can imagine, and it gives us the target of trying to retain in 2003!".

SUNDAY ACTION OPENS SALISBURY SEASON

The exciting 2003 season at Salisbury Racecourse begins on Sunday, May 4, with a great six-race programme and lots of entertainment for all the family.

The racing action commences with the £8,000-added BUTLER & CO EQUINE TAX PLANNING MAIDEN STAKES (2.30pm) over six furlongs for three-year-olds and upwards. This contest was run in two divisions last year, with the Ben Hanbury-trained Tudor Wood and Richard Hannon's Golden Spectrum proving successful.

Race two is the £12,000-added AUTECINQUE SAAB FILLIES' CONDITIONS STAKES (3.05pm), a five-furlong event for two-year-old fillies. Hannon enjoyed a double as Presto Vento was victorious in 2002 and she went on to win both the Listed National Stakes at Sandown and the very valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury later in the season.

The third and fourth races of the afternoon are competitive and valuable handicaps. At 3.40pm is the £15,000-added CATSFIELD HINTON & STUD HANDICAP over a mile and a quarter. The John Dunlop-trained Bonecrusher was triumphant in this race 12 months ago and proved to be a most progressive performer, winning a valuable handicap at the prestigious Newmarket July Meeting before being purchased by Godolphin.

Following on at 4.15pm is the most valuable race of the day, the £20,000-added DIRECT RESPONSE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY RATED STAKES, a limited handicap for three-year-olds over six furlongs. Vanderlin won last season for Salisbury director Ian Balding, who handed over his training licence to son Andrew at the start of 2003.

The £8,000-added CITY CABS SALISBURY MAIDEN STAKES (4.50pm) over one mile and four furlongs is next and was won by Gulf in 2002, sent out by local trainer David Elsworth.

A day out at Salisbury racecourse is always a great experience and in 2002 members of the Racegoers Club voted Salisbury the best racecourse in the South-West for the first time.

In recognition of this achievement, the final race on Sunday is the RACEGOERS CLUB BEST SMALL SOUTH-WEST RACECOURSE 2002 HANDICAP (5.25pm) over one mile and six furlongs. The Gerard Butler-trained mare Conquestadora won this race a year ago.

Admission prices on May 4 are Members £16, Tattersalls £10, Course £5, and, as at all Salisbury's meetings, accompanied children under 16 are admitted FREE. Car parking is also FREE.

The gates open at 11am on Sunday and there will be a variety of children's entertainments throughout the day, while a big screen will help racegoers view all the action.

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury's Clerk of the Course and Racecourse Manager, said: "Our opening fixture is always a very popular affair for all the family, falling as it does on the Sunday of the May Bank Holiday weekend. There is good racing plus lots of other entertainment to keep all members of the family happy and we are expecting a large crowd."

Salisbury's second fixture of 2003 will be on Thursday, May 15, when the first race is at 2.20pm.

BANK HOLIDAY ACTION AT DONCASTER

In a career as a top-class jockey spanning 29 seasons between 1941 and 1969, Joe Sime rode 1,420 winners. He dominated the Flat racing scene in the north during the 1950's and 60's; his best season was 1960 when he achieved 108 winners, finishing fourth in that year's jockeys' championship (Lester Piggott's first championship). Although Joe Sime was born in Liverpool in 1923, he lived in Doncaster with his family for many years, passing away in October 1996, aged 73. His memorial race is a contest for three-year-olds over the St. Leger distance of one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards. Last year's winner, Litany went on to win her next two races - both at Leicester.

The Doncaster Racecourse Sponsorship Club Conditions Stakes - a race for three-year-olds over the round mile - is the most valuable race of the afternoon, with prize money of £16,000, while The National Festival Circus Is Here Today Handicap Stakes, contested over one mile and a quarter has £15,000 added to stakes.

Musical entertainment is provided by the Tom Roberts Jazz Band; as usual, the creche facility is available (@ £1.80 per hour) in the Family Enclosure, while the Mitsubishi Diamond Vision Screen situated opposite the main stands will ensure that racegoers will miss none of the action.

WEDNESDAY EVENING RACING AT WETHERBY - YORKSHIRE'S FIRST EVENING FIXTURE OF 2003

Regular sponsors of racing at Wetherby, the Rocom Group of Thorp Arch, specialists in telecoms and I.T. products, support a Novices' Hurdle contest over the extended two and a half miles, while Massingberd Audi of Knaresborough - suppliers of a four-wheel drive vehicle to the racecourse for use on racedays - put their name to the opening race, a Novices' Hurdle for Conditional jockeys over two miles.

The Wetherby Racecourse Wedding Venue Handicap Chase also over two miles is another feature race, while The Yorkshire Point-to-Point Association Hunters' Chase, the longest race of the evening, run over three miles and one furlong, is for horses which have won or been placed in a race this year at a meeting affiliated to the Association.

A selection of children's attractions will be situated in the Course Enclosure, while the evening's musical entertainment is provided by The Imperial Young Gentlemen's Dance Orchestra.

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

İRacenews 2002
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