Thursday, May 29, 2000
BEST PRICES FOR NEWCASTLE TOMORROW
7.30pm Northern Rock Gosforth Park Cup (Handicap), 5f
Tadeo-16 T, WH
Indian Spark-12 L
Guinea Hunter-18 L
Afaan-16 T
Henry Hall-10 C
Night Flight-14 T
Tara's Girl-40 C, WH
Atlantic Viking-16 C, T, WH
Ivory's Joy-16 C, L
Ambitious-28 C
Coastal Bluff-C, T, WH
Central Coast-20 T, WH
Mizhar-14 C, L
Ellens Academy-9 T, WH
Storyteller-13/2 T
Sharoura-20 L, T, WH
Blessingindisguise-11 L
Gay Breeze-C, T, WH
Shirley Not-33 L, T
Antonia's Double-40 T
C=Coral L=Ladbrokes T=Tote WH=William Hill
THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION BACK BHB PLAN
The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association have given their backing to the BHB's plan of the "pooling" of various rights to racing rights in order to raise revenue for racing after the Levy scheme is abolished.
At the same time, the TBA were critical of the Racecourse Association, who have not yet given their backing to the plan and who remain in negotiation with various media organisations for rights to transit pictures of racing from racecourses.
TBA Chairman Nigel Elwes stated: "If we are to secure a fair, sustainable and growing revenue for racing from the betting industry we have to negotiate as a united body. We must unite to prosper. Divided we will be picked off one at a time."
HARRISON LODGES APPEAL AGAINST SUSPENSION
Jockey David Harrison is to appeal against the ten-day he incurred at Ascot Heath on Saturday.
The 27 year-old was found guilty by the Ascot Stewards of intentionally causing interference on Brilliant Red in the Ladbroke Handicap.
His appeal will be heard by the Jockey Club's Disciplinary Committee tomorrow.
BHB PLEASED WITH PROGRESS ON COUNTRYSIDE BILL
The BHB have expressed their encouragement at the progress of the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Lords on June 26.
Lord Whitty, a Home Office minister, has given an encouraging response to concerns raised by Lords Donoghue and Burnham and Baroness Trumpington. They had argued that the Bill's proposals to allow free access to all areas of down, heath or moor, including where racehorses may be galloping, could clearly present safety problems for both walkers and riders.
The BHB have now expressed hope that the bill will be amended to avoid this problem.
LEVY BOARD FUNDS GOING METER TRIALS
The introduction of a going meter for British racing draws another step closer following the decision by the Levy Board to provide a £90,000 grant to complete trials.
The Jockey Club requested the grant and Tony Goodhew, the Club's Director of Racecourse Services, explained the situation.
He said: "There remains an industry-wide demand for an accurate and effective method of measuring the going. Over the last year we have made good progress with a prototype going meter designed by ADAS.
"They own the intellectual property rights to the going meter and have so far met the costs themselves for the significant investment into research and development.
"We are delighted that the Levy Board has agreed to fund the next stage of development, which will enable the device to undergo extensive trials around the country."
Richard Linley, the Club's Senior Inspector of Courses, has been testing the latest ADAS prototype since last year at the racecourses he visits in order to verify the consistency of the device's readings on different soil types and under contrasting conditions.
A second prototype will be operated by United Racecourses from August, while the first six production going meters will be used at six courses from September for a year as the final user-acceptance stage.
If all goes well with the going meter at the various courses, it will become available to Britain's 59 racecourses in 2002.
Katie Langdell of the Racecourse Association commented: "We feel that everybody connected with the racing industry will benefit from the introduction of a definitive going meter which will provide consistent readings.
"So much work has gone into producing the prototype and the Levy Board's funding at this evaluation stage is very welcome."
McMANUS MAY BUY JACKDAWS CASTLE
J P McManus, the infamous Irish gambler and racehorse owner, is said to be in negotiations to buy the Jackdaws Castle training centre from its current owner Colin Smith. If McManus is successful in his bid, Jonjo O'Neill will take over from Richard Phillips at the Gloucestershire stables.
Yesterday however owner Colin Smith denied that he had any plans to sell up, stating: "I can guarantee that Richard Phillips will be there for at least one season - his contract with me is for three."
Similarly today, Jonjo O'Neill claimed to have no knowledge of the proposed sale. He stated: "I was associated with a move last season but I don't know anything about what is supposed to be happening now."
QUEEN TO HAVE FIRST RUNNER IN IRELAND
The Queen is to have what is believed to be her first runner in Ireland on Saturday when Spinning Top goes in the Group Two Hunston Financial Pretty Polly Stakes.
Lord Carnarvon, the Queen's racing manager stated: "This will be the Queen's first runner in Ireland since I have been looking after her horses, but there may have been runners when Sir Cecil Boyd-Rochfort trained for her."
Previously, the Queen had been under a self-imposed boycott of Irish racing, due to the conflict in Northern Ireland.
KINANE TO PARTNER CIRO IN IRISH DERBY
Michael Kinane will partner Ciro in Sundays Group One Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh. The Woodman colt is one of four possible runners for Ballydoyle, who also have Glyndebourne, Shakespeare and Shoal Creek entered.
Kinane has yet to win the Budweiser Irish Derby after seventeen attempts, although he has finished second three times.
LEVY BOARD CALLS FOR STARTING PRICES RETHINK
The Levy Board today called on the SP Executive to review its new procedures for the returning of Starting Prices (SP).
The decisions of the SP Executive to appoint an independent firm of accountants to evaluate the changes which have been introduced and to discuss the possible involvement of the National Joint Pitch Council are welcomed.
However, the Levy Board wants the SP Executive to adopt best practice, making the process transparent, with a proper audit trail.
Robert Hughes, the Levy Board Chairman, said today: "We recognise that returning the SP is a commercial activity but the Levy Board has a legitimate interest in the maintenance of the integrity of the SP.
"We are encouraging the SP Executive to consult with the NJPC, with a view to making the returning of the SP more of a science than an art.
"The information technology now available in off-course betting rings should be harnessed to produce accurate, fair and fast Starting Prices, and the process should be transparent, with a proper audit trail."
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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