Wednesday, April 30, 2003

FIRST TAKES GOLD AT PUNCHESTOWN

After a seemingly disappointing season, First Gold bounced back to form at Aintree last time out and Francois Doumen was not surprised to see today's follow-up success.

"Nothing has happened to this horse since Aintree and he proved his form today," said the trainer. "After Liverpool I don't think we could be that surprised today. He's come back to himself.

"Everyone talked about him not acting on a flat track but he has now proved himself. I think we can look at Cheltenham from an optimistic point of view now.

"He went so fast today that nobody could go any faster and he can carry on going for a long way like that.

"He had a muscle problem for a long while on his shoulder and we had a chiropractor who worked on it for many weeks - these things take a long time.

"Thierry knows this horse so well, he was 18 when he first rode him five years ago in the French Gold Cup."

Thierry Doumen added: "He never hesitated and nobody can follow him when he's in that form. He was cruising and at that speed he can keep going for a long time. It means a lot to us to come to the Festival and win a Grade 1 for JP."

J P McManus, who also won Tuesday's feature BMW Chase with Flagship Uberalles, said: "That's a nice double. This horse is a grand performer and there is nowhere to hide with him. You wouldn't have lost confidence in him if you'd been listening to the Doumens."

Three-horse Co Cork permit holder John Morrison trained, owned and bred Crimson Flower, the winner of the J F Dunne Insurances Handicap Hurdle who paid more than 70/1 on the Tote while the Noel Meade-trained Harchibald was successful in the Kielys of Donnybrook Hurdle.

ROSA STRIKES FOR HENDERSON

The Nicky Henderson-trained Royal Rosa today landed the Grade 1 Paddy Power Champion INH Flat Race under amateur Aidan Fitzgerald and looks set to attract plenty of interest when offered at Doncaster Sales next month in accordance with the rules of the Million In Mind Partnership, who own the four-year-old.

"The worst thing about it is that he goes to the sales but it's the rules with Million In Mind - they had to sell the likes of Mysilv and Mister Banjo," said Henderson.

"Now we need to find somebody to buy him as he's got a real future as a stayer. He has schooled well and all credit to Anthony Bromley who bought him in France untried.

"I thought he was given a great ride and as Mick Fitzgerald couldn't ride I thought we might as well stick to Fitzgeralds!"

RECORD CROWD

Wednesday's crowd at Punchestown was around 22,000, a record for any day at the Irish National Hunt Festival and about 2,000 up on the corresponding day 12 months ago.

MOON BALLAD AND VICTORY AMONGST PRINCE OF WALES'S STAKES ENTRIES

Mood Ballad, who scorched the Dubai dirt to run away with the Dubai World Cup itself, is one of 16 possibles for Godolphin, who also have Sulamani, winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic, in the ten furlong race.

Victory Moon put South African racing on the map when landing the UAE Derby and has been entered for both the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has also been touted as a King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (26/7/03) challenger.

Aidan O'Brien has five of the six Irish entries in the Prince of Wales's Stakes, including last year's Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf winner High Chaparral and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes runner-up Hawk Wing. Both also hold entries in the newly promoted Queen Anne Stakes (17/6/03).

Six Hong Kong entries have been received for Royal Ascot's Group One races. Precision (D. Oughton), winner of the Hong Kong Cup last year, is engaged in both the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes and could be joined in the latter by stablemate Bowman's Crossing, who has been shaping well in recent races at home, including when considered an unlucky loser in the Hong Kong Classic Mile in February.

Elegant Fashion (D. A. Hayes) was a top filly in Australia before being shipped to Hong Kong. She was second in the recent Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup and holds a Prince of Wales's Stakes entry along with the German-trained Paolini (A. Wohler), third behind her in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

Firebolt (I. W. Allan) and All Thrills Too (D. A. Hayes) are old adversaries who could lock horns again in the Golden Jubilee Stakes (21/6/03).

They met most recently in the Chariman's Sprint at Sha Tin where Firebolt was beaten under a length and a half in third behind Grand Delight, with All Thrills Too fourth. Firebolt has improved out of all recognition since being trained in the UK under the name of Volata and, along with All Thrills Too, is regarded as being amongst the cream of the Hong Kong based sprinters.

The Golden Jubilee Stakes has also attracted entries from the USA and Australia in the form of Morluc (Randy Morse, USA) and Choisir (Paul Perry), a Group One winner in his native Australia where he won the Silver Arrow Series over four races to prove himself Melbourne's best.

Also of particular interest in the Golden Jubilee Stakes are Dermot Weld's new globetrotting acquisition Belle du Jour, a Group One winner in Australia before finishing fourth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, and last year's established European Group One speedsters Continent (D. Nicholls) and Malhub (J. Gosden).

When promoted last year, the Golden Jubilee Stakes became the first European Group One sprint of the season and the first opportunity for three year olds that might have run in the Guineas to take on their elders in a test of speed at the highest level.

Three year olds of interest in this category this year include Tante Rose (B. W. Hills), Hold That Tiger and Tomahawk (A. P. O'Brien). One three-year-old Golden Jubilee Stakes entry who won't be seen in Classic action, however, is Airwave (H. Candy), who looked a filly out of the very top draw when defeating the top class Russian Rhythm with ease in the six furlong Cheveley Park Stakes last year. She misses the 1,000 Guineas for a pure sprint campaign.

The picture for the St James's Palace Stakes (17/6/03) and Coronation Stakes (20/6/03) will become clearer following the Guineas Meeting at Newmarket and their equivalents in Ireland and throughout Europe but all the leading classic hopefuls feature amongst the nominations at this early stage.

The Gold Cup is worth £250,000 this year, bringing it into line with the other Royal Ascot Group One races, with the exception of the £350,000 Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Entries for Europe's stayers' championship are headed by 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle (D. K. Weld) and stablemate Vinnie Roe, last year's Gold Cup second.

"The entries for our Group One races are as strong as ever including no fewer than 53 from Godolphin and 48 from Ballydoyle. This is the first year for the Queen Anne as a Group One and the quality of entries reflects that," said Nick Cheyne, Clerk of the Course at Ascot.

"The Royal Meeting becomes more international every year and it is particularly pleasing to see Hong Kong, South Africa and Australia represented at this initial stage. With six Group One races at Royal Ascot now compared to just three in 1999 and prize money up £340,000 to £3,381,000 this year, we remain committed to enhancing the race programme at Royal Ascot at every opportunity."

ENTRIES FOR ROYAL ASCOT GROUP ONE RACES 2001 TO 2003

2001 2002 2003

St James's Palace Stakes
71 71 84
Queen Anne Stakes (Group Two up to 2002)
65 54 42
Prince of Wales's Stakes
42 46 53
Gold Cup
36 44 42
Coronation Stakes
79 93 65
Golden Jubilee Stakes (Group Two up to 2001)
109 72 76

2001 2002 2003

St James's Palace Stakes
Great Britain
51 42 55

Ireland
15 22 25

France
4 6 3

USA
1 1 0

Italy
0 0 1

Total
71 71 84

Queen Anne Stakes
2001 2002 2003

Great Britain
52 35 33

Ireland
12 14 4

France
0 4 1

South Africa
0 0 2

Hong Kong
0 0 2

Germany
1 0 0
Italy
0 1 0

Total
65 54 42


Gold Cup
2001 2002 2003

Great Britain
30 35 34

Ireland
5 6 6

France
1 3 2

Total
36 44 42


Prince of Wales's Stakes
2001 2002 2003

Great Britain
33 32 38

Ireland
5 5 6

France
4 6 4

Germany
0 1 1

USA
0 2 0

Denmark
0 0 1

Hong Kong
0 0 2

South Africa
0 0 1

Total
42 46 53

Coronation Stakes
2001 2002 2003

Great Britain
51 64 46

Ireland
15 19 10

France
13 10 9

Total
79 93 65

Golden Jubilee Stakes
2001 2002 2003

Great Britain
80 38 54

Ireland
20 25 14

France
7 5 4

Norway
1 0 0

Sweden
1 0 0

USA
0 4 1

Australia
0 0 1

Hong Kong
0 0 2

Total
109 72 76

SKYBET TO SPONSOR CHEVELEY PARK STAKES

This top six-furlong contest for two-year-old fillies is the feature event on the first day of Newmarket's three-day Cambridgeshire Meeting, which runs from Thursday, October 2, to Saturday, October 4.

Last season's renewal of the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes went to the Henry Candy-trained Airwave, who showed blistering speed to beat Russian Rhythm by a length and a half. The runner-up is currently a leading fancy for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, the second of the season's classics, at Newmarket on Sunday, May 4.

Since Lutetia won the inaugural running of the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes in 1899, the race has gained a reputation as a classic indicator. Nine winners since 1945 have returned to Newmarket the following spring to score in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas.

The last filly to achieve this magnificent double was the Clive Brittain-trained Sayyedati. The daughter of Shadeed proved two lengths too strong for Lyric Fantasy in the 1992 Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes, before denying Niche by half a length in the following season's Sagitta 1000 Guineas.

In 1987 Ravinella, trained in France by Criquette Head-Maarek, became the leading Sagitta 1000 Guineas candidate when she was successful in the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes and the Mr Prospector filly justified odds-on favouritism in the Guineas the next year.

More recently, the Jeremy Noseda-trained Wannabe Grand just missed out on classic glory following her victory the 1998 Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes. She found just Wince half a length too good in the Guineas.

The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Pas De Reponse and Seazun, trained by former England footballer Mick Channon, both finished fourth in the following season's Sagitta 1000 Guineas, having won the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes in 1996 and 1999 respectively.

The Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes closes for entries on Wednesday, July 30, 2003.

Sky Bet Managing Director Nick Rust said: "Sky Bet is delighted to have agreed a sponsorship package with Newmarket Racecourse to include the highly-acclaimed Group One race, the Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes, which significantly enhances Sky Bet's extensive race sponsorship portfolio.

"As a company, Sky already has a large investment in horseracing with the attheraces partnership and its live evening race coverage throughout the summer months on The Winning Post. Therefore, our agreement with Newmarket - the Home of Horseracing - further endorses Sky's commitment to top quality sport through horseracing."

Lisa Hancock, Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourses, commented: "We are delighted that Sky Bet have taken over sponsorship of one of our biggest races of the year. The Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes always attracts Europe's top two-year-old fillies and is one of the most eagerly anticipated highlights of the Autumn season."

CHANGE TO LINGFIELD DERBY TRIAL DISTANCE

Therefore the 2003 distance for the The Bet Attheraces on 0800 083 83 83 Derby and Oaks Trials will be run over 1M 3F 176 yards.

Clerk of the Course, Chris Stickels, is pleased with the current state of the ground at Lingfield Park: "Despite an unusually dry spring, the turf course is in excellent condition."

THE WURZELS PLAY WINCANTON

The Wurzels, who enjoyed chart success in the 1970s with hits such as I'm A Cider Drinker and the massive number one smash The Combine Harvester, will be playing from 8.15pm and the party atmosphere will continue well into the evening. The action takes place on the stage outside the Badger bar in the Tattersalls enclosure.

Thursday, May 15 is LADIES NIGHT at Wincanton, with lots on offer to ensure that female racegoers enjoy a truly unforgettable evening. There will be a big incentive for female racegoers to turn out in their grandest attire with some fabulous prizes on offer in the Best Dressed Lady competition. The lady judged to be the best dressed will win a wonderful night for two at the luxurious Holbrook House Hotel in Wincanton, which offers a range of spa and health facilities. Holbrook House Hotel will also be sponsoring a race on the card and are strong supporters of Wincanton racecourse. The winner of the Best Dressed Lady competition will also receive a designer hat from Preview of Wincanton, a ladies boutique owned by Finn and Bob Kennedy.

The Preview boutique will also be putting on a colourful fashion show on May 15, featuring models "Finn's London Fillies" - a group of four London models. Amongst the clothes on show in the fashion parade will be a wide range of hats and outfits suitable for summer events such as Royal Ascot.

Admission for both the May 9 and May 15 meetings are Club Enclosure £17 (17-25s with ID £10), Tattersalls Enclosure £12 (17-25s with ID £9), Course Enclosure £6 and cars parked in the Course Enclosure £6. Other parking is FREE. As stated before, children aged 16 and under, accompanied by a responsible adult, gain FREE admission to all enclosures.

There are lots of facilities at Wincanton to help ensure that racegoers are able to thoroughly enjoy their evening at the friendly Somerset racecourse.

Wincanton offers snack bars in every enclosure and a choice of seven public bars. The See More Business bar offers lobster and smoked salmon while homemade cakes, pies and seasonal dishes are available in the Stalbridge and Badger bars.

The excellent restaurant overlooking the paddock needs to be booked in advance by contacting the racecourse. The indoor viewing gallery with seats, opposite the winning post in the Club Enclosure, provides good viewing in a comfortable environment and has a bar and snack bar.

After the May 9 and May 15 fixtures Wincanton closes for the summer break and reopens for business on Thursday, October 9.

Ascot has an ongoing commitment to bring racing to a younger audience and is keen to promote the sport to the next generation of racegoers. Frankie, who will be talking about the new initiative on the BBC during tomorrow's racing from Ascot, said:

"Racing is a fantastic sport and it's great that Ascot are trying to bring it to the younger generation. I am proud to be involved and hope that this will encourage more young people to experience this wonderful game!"

The 'Colts and Fillies Club' aims to give budding racing fans their own identity, whilst making the sport more accessible, interesting, educational and fun. It is open to 16s and under, is free to join, and there are a whole host of activities planned this summer.

Benefits of 'Colts and Fillies Club' membership include:

* A welcome pack including a special metal members badge, a young person's guide to racing and horseracing activity book

* Regular 'Colts and Fillies' newsletters, containing the latest updates on club events and forthcoming family fixtures

* Special activities for 'Colts and Fillies Club' members, including behind the scenes tours, parade ring talks, trips to the start and personal appearances from Frankie Dettori

* Personalised birthday and Christmas cards

* Exclusive competitions, offering a chance to win some fantastic prizes

Children will be asked to look out for the 'Ascot Mascot,' who will be leading the activities for younger racegoers on all family days.

There will even be designated viewing areas by the Winners' Enclosure and Parade Ring where adults may only enter if accompanied by a child!

To join the 'Colts and Fillies Club' or for more information about the events planned on Ascot's family days this year, call 01344 876 876 or visit www.ascot.co.uk.

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

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