Tuesday, June 3, 2003

LATEST WILLIAM HILL ANTE-POST PRICES

VODAFONE OAKS (Friday 6th June): 2-1 Yesterday, 7-2 Hi Dubai, 5-1 Hanami, 13-2 Hammiya, 14-1 Casual Look, Waldmark, 16-1 L'Ancresse, Santa Sophia (from 20-1), 20-1 Halawanda, Geminiani, 25-1 Mezzo Soprano, 33-1 Summitville, 40-1 High Praise, Snippets, 66-1 Hearts 'N Minds, 150-1 Inchberry, Thingmebob. ALL QUOTED, NON RUNNER NO BET

VODAFONE DERBY (Saturday 7th June): 11-4 Brian Boru, 10-3 Refuse To Bend, 7-2 Alamshar, 8-1 Alberto Giacometti, 14-1 Kris Kin, 16-1 The Great Gatsby, 20-1 Magistretti, Norse Dancer, Shield, 22-1 Dutch Gold, 25-1 Franklins Gardens, 40-1 New South Wales, 50-1 Balestrini, Dunhill Star, Graikos, Handel, Let Me Try Again, 66-1 Lundy's Lane, Unigold, 100-1 Albanov, Prince, Nureyev, Strength 'N Honour, Summerland, 500-1 Skelligs Rock. ALL QUOTED, NON RUNNER NO BET

THE ROYAL HUNT CUP (Wednesday 18th June): 10-1 Funfair, 12-1 Green Line, 14-1 Akshar, Morahib, Selective, 16-1 Colisay, Norton, 20-1 Adiemus, Bonecrusher, Camp Commander, Cats Whiskers, Chivalry, Demonstrate, Everest, Hallion, Mystic Man, Pablo, With Reason, Zonergem, 25-1 Avorado, Duke of Modena, Faithful Warrior, Goblet of Fire, Island Light, Lady Bear, Macadamia, One More Round, Pentecost, Perfect Storm, Prize Time, Sahaat, Samhari (Others Upon Request)

THE ASCOT GOLD CUP (Thursday 19th June): 7-2 Mamool, Mr Dinos, 10-1 Black Sam Bellamy, Warrsan, 11-1 Pugin, 12-1 Boreas, Fight Your Corner, 16-1 Alcazar, Kasthari, Persian Punch, Pole Star, 20-1 Jardines Lookout, Savannah Bay, Tholjanah, 25-1 Clety, Cut Quartz, Ice Dancer, 33-1 Chai Walla, Windermere, 40-1 Gulf, Orchestra Stall, 100-1 BAR

THE WOKINGHAM (Friday 20th June): 7-1 Fire Up the Band, 10-1 Patavellian, 12-1 Capricho, 14-1 The Tatling, 16-1 Border Subject, Colonel Cotton, Namroud, Perfect Touch, Polar Way, Vanderlin, 20-1 Banjo Bay, Curfew, Demonstrate, Fayr Jag, Impressive Flight, Lochridge, Ratio, 25-1 Atlantic Viking, Bond Boy, Budelli, Ceepio, Danger Over, Final Exam, Funfair Wane, Funny Valentine, Greenslades, Halmahera, Indian Spark, Little Edward, Magic Glade, Mitcham, Old Blue Eyes, One More Round, Onlytimewilltell. (Others Upon Request)

WILLIAM HILL GREYHOUND DERBY BETTING (Final Saturday 28th June): 11-4 Top Savings (from 3-1), 7-1 Droopys Corleone, 10-1 Maxie Rumble (from 14-1), Top General, 12-1 Goldmember, Larkhill Bullet, 14-1 Burberry Boy, Droopys Agassi, Learn and Earn, 16-1 Farloe Verdict, 20-1 Connoisseur, Faughan Danger, Full Cigar, Man of Cash, Mustang Buster, Special Trick, Vigorous Robby, 25-1 Droopys Hewitt, 33-1 Bombay Saphire, Coolavanny Euro, Droopys Oasis, Droopys Seb, Farloe Pocket, Jackies Lady, Knock Split, Lark In Flight, Nialls Star, Wee Bobby 40-1 BAR

HAWK WING HEADS RECORD 78 ENTRIES FOR SUSSEX STAKES

The Group One event vies for the title of top mile race of Europe, having been won by some brilliant milers over the years.

This year's entries are headed by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Hawk Wing, who produced a scintillating front-running performance on his seasonal debut to beat five high-class rivals by at least 11 lengths in the Group One Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 17, building the foundations for establishing himself as this season's champion miler.

Hawk Wing is one of 24 entries (23 last year) made by Ireland's champion trainer, who has won two of the last three renewals of the Sussex Stakes courtesy of Giant's Causeway in 2000 and Rock Of Gibraltar last year.

The latter equalled Mill Reef's record of six consecutive Group One successes when he scored at Goodwood and the Danehill colt went on to break the record when he won in France two months later, ending 2002 as the world's top-rated horse.

O'Brien's other entries are Yesterday, winner of the Entenmann's Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, Alberto Giacometti, Balestrini, Carpanetto, Catcher In The Rye, Chevalier, Dalcassian, First Dynasty, France, Great Pyramid, Hold That Tiger, Marino Marini, Middlemarch, Mingun, Sahara Desert, Salt Lake City, Shoal Creek, Solskjaer, Spartacus, Statue Of Liberty, Tomahawk, Twentytwoandchange and Van Nistelrooy.

Godolphin, the other main powerhouse of European Flat racing, has won two of the last four runnings of the Sussex Stakes with Aljabr in 1999 and Noverre two years later.

The 15 possibles supplied by Godolphin include many of their stars. Moon Ballad lived up to his young pretender' billing by winning the world's richest race, the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in March, Grandera was a five-length winner of the 2002 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot, while Lateen Sails proved that his last place in the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May was all wrong by easily winning a Listed contest at York on May 15.

Godolphin's battalion is completed by Blatant, Bourbonnais, Bowman, Country Reel, Dubai Destination, Firebreak, Imtiyaz, Masterful, Meshaheer, Mister Links, Three Points and Western Diplomat.

Both of this season's British Guineas winners are entered. Refuse To Bend retained his unbeaten record when prevailing for Ireland's globetrotting trainer Dermot Weld in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas, while the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Russian Rhythm proved concerns that the fillies' version, the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas, might come a little too early in the season for her incorrect by beating her 18 rivals by at least one and a half lengths.

Newmarket trainer Paul D'Arcy could bid for another big race victory with Indian Haven, who provided his first classic success in the Entenmann's Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 24.

There are two contenders from France - three-year-old Tashkandi and the year older Bright Sky. Tashkandi, owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, won two Listed races in May before running well when third in the nine-furlong Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on June 1. The Elie Lellouche-trained Bright Sky, winner of two Group Ones last year, made a promising start to this season when coming second to Falbrav in the nine-furlong Group One Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on May 18.

Other notable entries include the Terry Mills-trained Where Or When, who won last season's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, Tillerman, locally trained by Amanda Perrett, who was successful in the 2002 Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood, another top local horse - the John Dunlop-trained Olden Times, Vodafone Derby hope Magistretti and classic-placed three-year-olds like Tout Seul, Norse Dancer and Zafeen.

Rod Fabricius, Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Goodwood, said today: "We are very happy with both the record number and the high quality of this year's entries for the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood's flagship race. It really will be a contest to remember if Hawk Wing lines up against this year's Guineas winners."

THE SUSSEX STAKES

Class A, Group One Goodwood, Wednesday, July 30, 2003, for three-year-olds and upwards, one mile, 285,000 total prize fund. Weights: 3yo colts & geldings 8st 13lb; fillies 8st 10lb; 4yo colts & geldings 9st 7lb; fillies 9st 4lb. Entries closed May 28 (78 entries), forfeit stage July 8, £20,000 supplementary entry stage July 25, five-day confirmation stage July 25, final declaration stage 10.00am, July 28. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys & are correct up to Thursday, May 29, 2003.

Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
431110- AL JADEED (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden
11-33 ALBERTO GIACOMETTI (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
23-121 ARAKAN (USA) 3 Niarchos Family Sir Michael Stoute
11-0 AUDIENCE 3 Highclere Thoroughbred Racing II William Haggas
30-14 BALESTRINI (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3411-50 BATTLE CHANT (USA) 3 Cheveley Park Stud Ed Dunlop
2112-3 BLATANT 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
121-(3)(5)0 BOURBONNAIS (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
136665- BOWMAN (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
2221310-2 BRIGHT SKY 4 Ecurie Wildenstein Elie Lellouche FR
01- CARPANETTO (IRE) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
32-12 CATCHER IN THE RYE (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
212- CHEVALIER (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
315/-1 COMFY (USA) 4 Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute
114- COUNTRY REEL (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
33-130 DALCASSIAN (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3211-21 DESERT DEER 5 Jaber Abdullah Mark Johnston
211/2- DUBAI DESTINATION (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
114(4)0-0 DUPONT 4 Wentworth Racing (Pty) Ltd William Haggas
1121-54 EVENTUAIL (ARG) 5 William Haggas William Haggas
6412-2(1) FIREBREAK 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
52- FIRST DYNASTY (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
13-4142 FRANCE 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
5130-(1)(4) GRANDERA (IRE) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
21600-5 GREAT PYRAMID (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
2122(0)-1 HAWK WING (USA) 4 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1101(3)-0 HOLD THAT TIGER (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
3213-10 HURRICANE ALAN (IRE) 3 Mrs D. M. Wight Richard Hannon
312 IKHTYAR (IRE) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Gosden
242-(1)06 IMTIYAZ (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
650-101 INDIAN HAVEN 3 Peter Gleeson, Julian Smith, Loz Conway Paul D'Arcy
14160-2 JUST JAMES 4 Lucayan Stud Jeremy Noseda
4-11 KALAMAN (IRE) 3 H.H. Aga Khan Sir Michael Stoute
1/1002-0 KING OF HAPPINESS (USA) 4 Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute
1-01 LATEEN SAILS 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1 LINDOP 3 Lady Sophia Topley James Toller
1225-11 MAGISTRETTI (USA) 3 Michael Tabor Neville Callaghan
13240-3 MARINO MARINI (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1/222-65 MASTERFUL (USA) 5 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0316-02 MESHAHEER (USA) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
MIDDLEMARCH (IRE) 3 Robert Sangster, Michael Tabor & Sue MagnierAidan O'Brien IRE
2-1 MINGUN (USA) 3 Niarchos Family Aidan O'Brien IRE
1220-30 MISTER LINKS (IRE) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1523-36 MONSIEUR BOND (IRE) 3 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
1312-(1)(1) MOON BALLAD (IRE) 4 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
3124-46 NAPPER TANDY (IRE) 3 Jackie Bolger Jim Bolger IRE
141301- NAYYIR 5 Abdulla Al Khalifa Gerard Butler
11440-3 NORSE DANCER (IRE) 3 Jeff Smith David Elsworth
5211- OASIS DREAM 3 Khalid Abdulla John Gosden
344/3-13 OLDEN TIMES 5 Prince A. A. Faisal John Dunlop
30-0035 REEL BUDDY (USA) 5 Speedlith Group Richard Hannon
11-11 REFUSE TO BEND (IRE) 3 Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd Dermot Weld IRE
12/30-1 RIGHT APPROACH 4 The Queen Sir Michael Stoute
4110-43 RIMROD (USA) 3 George Strawbridge Andrew Balding
1112-1 RUSSIAN RHYTHM (USA) 3 Cheveley Park Stud Sir Michael Stoute
000556- SAHARA DESERT 4 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
21-0 SALT LAKE CITY (USA) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1/321/32- SHOAL CREEK (IRE) 6 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
0 SOLSKJAER (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle Aidan O'Brien IRE
111-4 SOVIET SONG (IRE) 3 Elite Racing Club James Fanshawe
102101- SPARTACUS (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
1242- ST PANCRAS (IRE) 3 Michael Hill Neville Callaghan
11- STATUE OF LIBERTY (USA) 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
41 SUBLIMITY (FR) 3 Saeed Suhail Sir Michael Stoute
15132-4 SUGGESTIVE 5 Barbara Bassett Willianm Haggas
113 TASHKANDI 3 HH Aga Khan Alain de Royer Dupre FR
5/36130- THREE POINTS 6 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
0130-16 TILLERMAN 7 Khalid Abdulla Amanda Perrett
2(0)-1400 TOMAHAWK (USA) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1121-43 TOUT SEUL (IRE) 3 Eden Racing Fulke Johnson Houghton
313- TRADE FAIR 3 Khalid Abdulla Roger Charlton
1/25234- TWENTYTWOANDCHANGE (IRE) 4 Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
11123(5)- VAN NISTELROOY (USA) 3 Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Stonerside Stable Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-(2) WESTERN DIPLOMAT (USA) 3 Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
65141-2 WHERE OR WHEN (IRE) 4 John Humphreys (Turf Accountants) Ltd Terry Mills
133- WIZARD OF NOZ 3 Mr C. Fox & Mr J. Wright Jeremy Noseda
2631-01 YESTERDAY (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Roisin Henry Aidan O'Brien IRE
154-220 ZAFEEN (FR) 3 Jaber Abdullah Mick Channon

78 entries
26 Irish-trained
2 French-trained

ELEVEN READY TO JUMP IN BELMONT'S MEADOW BROOK

The final leg of the Steeplechase Triple Crown attracted a wide-open field that includes the first three finishers from the series' first stage at Churchill Downs May 1. Trebizond, Naughty Prince and Fighting Star finished 1 1/4 lengths apart that day but missed a chance at a rematch at Pimlico when heavy rains canceled the second leg of the series.

"The time off didn't hurt, he looks well and we're ready," said Kathy Neilson, who trains Trebizond for Delaware resident Bill Lickle. "He had his final breeze the other day and he'll spend the rest of the time eating grass and getting fresh for Thursday."

A 7-year-old Irish-bred, Trebizond rallied in the final yards to win the Hard Scuffle (Gr. I) at Churchill and should relish the Meadow Brook's 2 1/2-mile distance. Trebizond has won three of 13 career jump starts, and has earned $141,000 The son of Sadler's Wells will have to race without jockey Rob Massey, who was aboard for the Churchill win. First-call for trainer Doug Fout, Massey was committed to Imperial Gold for the Meadow Brook so Neilson engaged Tom Foley for Trebizond. Imperial Gold had a training setback this week, and wasn't entered for Belmont, so Massey jumped to Fighting Star for trainer Janet Elliot. Third at Churchill, Fighting Star is owned by veteran flat trainer Willard C. "Mike" Freeman.

"It was a big disappointment to not have Imperial Gold to ride, but I was lucky enough to catch Janet before she got somebody else," said Massey, who is tied with Gus Brown atop the 2003 National Steeplechase Associationjockey standings with nine wins. "I like (Fighting Star). I saw him win at Atlantic City (April 23), and I was pretty impressed with his run around Churchill. There was nothing between the first three that day. Any of us could have won it, really."

Contrarian Stable's Naughty Prince led the Hard Scuffle field over the final fence, but couldn't withstand Trebizond's late run and settled for second for trainer Ricky Hendriks. The 4-year-old sports a 2-for-3 mark this year, and carries a feathery 141 pounds including 2002 champion jockey David Bentley.

Two series newcomers cast long shadows on the field. Augustin Stable's Senor Melchor is a perfect 3-for-3 over jumps (all this year) for trainer Sanna Hendriks. The gray son of Strodes Creek has quickly advanced to stakes contender with a maiden win on April 12, a minor allowance score on April 26 and another allowance victory on May 3. Regular jockey Jody Petty gets the riding assignment. Bred in Kentucky, Senor Melchor took the roundabout route to steeplechasing. He won on the flat in Chile, spent time in California with Neil Drysdale and came to Hendriks' barn late last year.

"He's been the most pleasant surprise of the spring," said Hendriks, who won the Meadow Brook in 2001 with Praise The Prince. "Jogging around at home, you wouldn't know he was as good as he is. He's real lazy, so he's been tough to gauge. (The Meadow Brook) is a tough race, and we're taking a bit of a shot, but I don't think he'll disrespect himself. He's woken up quite a bit."

Whitewood Farm's Understood opened 2003 with a Grade III stakes score at Atlanta, and is no stranger to the Belmont turf course. The 7-year-old son of Pistolet Bleu raced on the flat for trainer Rick Violette, winning three races and competing in several graded stakes. Converted to jumping last year, Understood has won twice in eight starts for Virginia-based trainer Richard Valentine.

The field (with owner, trainer, jockey, weight) in post position order:

1. Naughty Prince (Contrarian Stable, Ricky Hendriks, David Bentley, 141).

2. Sham Aciss (Happenstance, Jack Fisher, Gus Brown, 148).

3. Understood (Whitewood Farm, Richard Valentine, Chip Miller, 151).

4. Trebizond (Bill Lickle, Kathy Neilson, Rob Massey, 154).

5. Preemptive Strike (Polaris Stable, Paul Rowland, Robbie Walsh, 151).

6. Senor Melchor (Augustin Stable, Sanna Hendriks, Jody Petty, 144).

7. Fighting Star (Willard C. "Mike" Freeman, Janet Elliot, Rob Massey, 151).

8. Hotspur (Peachtree Stable, Jonathan Sheppard, Matt McCarron, 151).

9. Mr Perkolater (Gillian Johnston, Kathy Neilson, Michael Traurig, 151).

10. Coal Dust (Armata Stable, Tom Voss, Cyril Murphy, 138).

11. Blasphemous (Jeremy Gillam, Jeremy Gillam, Diana Gillam, 151).

The Meadow Brook will be the ninth race of the day on Thursday, and will be run at a distance of 2 1/2 miles over 12 fences.

SIMON WHITWORTH APPEAL TO BE HEARD TOMORROW

The Panel for tomorrow's appeal will comprise: Alastair Macdonald-Buchanan (Chairman), Tim Bell and William Bethell.

CAMPAIGN BUS FOR EUROPEAN YEAR OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HITS THE VODAFONE DERBY MEETING

Renamed, the European Year of Disabled People in the UK and supported at the event by Vodafone UK and United Racecourses Ltd, the bus will be used as a focal point for a range of events and entertainment raising the profile of issues around disability rights. In the UK, 171 projects have received funding for projects as part of the Year.

A 13.5 metre pantechnicon, the campaign bus doubles as a mobile multimedia exhibition centre, arriving from the Channel Tunnel on 2 June. This began a month of entertainment and campaigning in the UK.

Anne Pridmore, from the UK Forum on Disability and co-ordinator of the bus for its duration in the UK, said: ‘The Campaign Bus is an opportunity for us to highlight the importance of equal rights and participation for disabled people, as part of the European Year of Disabled People 2003.'

PONTEFRACT STAGES NEW LISTED RACE ON MONDAY EVENING

A £35,000 contest over one mile for fillies and mares, The Pipalong Stakes is named in honour of one of the best sprinters to be trained in the north in recent years. Pipalong was trained at Great Habton near Malton by Tim Easterby and jointly-owned by his mother, Marjorie. In a distinguished career Pipalong was successful in the Group One Sprint Stakes at Haydock Park, as well as The Palace House Stakes at Newmarket and The Duke Of York Stakes at York (both Group 3 races).

Pipalong was just beaten half a length by Wannabe Grand after a terrific tussle up the finishing straight in the second running of Pontefract's most prestigious race, the 'Listed' Flying Fillies' Stakes in August 1999, just a week after winning Ripon's most valuable race, The Great St. Wilfrid Handicap Stakes. She was also placed in the Group One Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in Paris, and as a juvenile she took Redcar's big race, The Two-Year-Old Trophy in 1998.

The Tony Bethell Memorial Handicap Stakes (a race for stayers over two miles and one furlong which commemorates a former chairman of Pontefract racecourse) and The Oak Handicap Stakes (a £15,000 contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a quarter), are also featured on Monday evening, when racing starts at 6.45 p.m.

The giant ToteVision Screen, situated opposite the main stands, will assist racegoers to follow all of the action, while the musical entertainment is provided by The Tom Roberts Jazz Band. There will be a selection of children's rides in the Third Enclosure.

ANDERSON BARROWCLIFF LEAD THE WAY AT REDCAR

Contested over the straight mile by fillies and mares, The Anderson Barrowcliff Handicap Stakes is supported by one of Teesside's largest firms of chartered accountants and business advisers. Based in Thornaby, Anderson Barrowcliff are the racecourse's accountants and have sponsored at Redcar since 1991.

Three-year-olds take part in The Jeroboam Handicap Stakes over the straight seven furlongs. The race title refers to the champagne theme which runs through the majority of the card.

WEDNESDAY ACTION AT BEVERLEY

The feature races on Wednesday are The Winners Are Welcome @ Betfair.com Rated Stakes (a £10,000 Showcase Handicap over one mile and a quarter) and The Join The Revolution @ Betfair.com Handicap Stakes over the extended seven furlongs.

Racing is scheduled to start at 2.10 p.m.

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

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