Friday, June 6, 2008

DERBY FESTIVAL 2008 - LADIES DAY
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, FRIDAY, JUNE 6

STAR SIGNS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VODAFONE DERBY?

Of the 17 declared runners for this year’s Classic, five are Pisces, Bashkirov, Bouguereau, Frozen Fire, River Proud and Alan Devonshire, who shares his date of birth, February 27, with 2000 winner Sinndar.

Those born between January 20 and February 18 (Aquarius) have won six of the last 20 renewals and this year’s market leaders Casual Conquest, Curtain Call, New Approach and Doctor Fremantle, are among the seven Aquarians in the field.

Only two from the Aries banner have been successful in the last 20 runnings of the Vodafone Derby, but with four runners this year, Kandahar Run, Rio De La Plata, King Of Rome and Tartan Bearer, that might have increased by Saturday evening.

Those born under the Taurus sign have won the Classic five times in the same period but that sign is not represented in this year’s field, while a similar comment applies to Gemini, who has had one winner.

There has not been a winner born earlier than January 27 in the last 20 years, but the sole Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) entrant, Washington Irving, will be bidding to buck that trend.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Washington Irving - January 14

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Tajaaweed - January 25
Casual Conquest - January 26
Doctor Fremantle - January 29
Curtain Call - January 31
Maidstone Mixture - February 3
Alessandro Volta - February 11
New Approach - February 18

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Frozen Fire - February 19
Bouguereau - February 21
Alan Devonshire - February 27
River Proud - March 15
Bashkirov - March 20

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Rio De La Plate - March 26
Tartan Bearer - March 29
King Of Rome - April 8
Kandahar Run - April 13

STALL 10 COULD BE PERFECT

However, more interesting is the fact that seven of the winners in the last 25 years have been drawn in stall 10, something that will please Irish trainer Dermot Weld, whose market leader Casual Conquest has been allocated the lucky stall.

Last year Frankie Dettori and Authorized broke from stall 14 before going on to victory in the Classic. On Saturday, Dettori will be hoping to become the first winner for more than 25 years to break from gate 17, while Ryan Moore will be going for two-in-a-row from 14 with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Tartan Bearer.

Meanwhile, Johnny Murtagh, the most successful current jockey in the Vodafone Derby, has won from five (Motivator, 2005), nine (High Chaparral, 2002) and 15 (Sinndar, 2000), but this year will be breaking from 11 with King Of Rome. During the same period, stall 11 has failed to produce a winner.

The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach has been drawn in stall three, from where Slip Anchor was the most recent winner back in 1985.

Luca Cumani, successful from stall 14 with High-Rise in 1998 and 13 with Kahyasi in 1988, saddles Curtain Call, who will break from stall six, the winning starting point for Stoute’s North Light in 2004.

Along with stall 14, two winners have also come from stall four (Kris Kin, 2003 and Dr Devious, 1992) and stall nine (High Chaparral, 2002 and Shaamit, 1996) in the last quarter of a century. This year, Paul Cole’s River Proud will jump from four, while Aidan O’Brien’s pacemaker Bashkirov will start from nine.

THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY

Form Horse Owner Trainer/Jockey/Draw
1) 1223-4 ALAN DEVONSHIRE Russell Trew Ltd Mark Tompkins/Paul Mulrennan 12
2) 031-41 ALESSANDRO VOLTA Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/Seamus Heffernan 1
3) 34-53 BASHKIROV Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/ David McCabe 9
4) 043-120 BOUGUEREAU Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam/Alan Munro 2
5) 1-1 CASUAL CONQUEST (IRE) Moyglare Stud Farms Dermot Weld IRE/Pat Smullen 10
6) 62215-1 CURTAIN CALL (FR) Juliet Cooper and Partners Luca Cumani/Jamie Spencer 6
7) 221-21 DOCTOR FREMANTLE Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute/Kerrin McEvoy 13
8) 10-2 FROZEN FIRE (GER) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/Michael Kinane 15
9) 211-21 KANDAHAR RUN Gestut Ammerland Henry Cecil/Ted Durcan 8
10) 010-52 KING OF ROME (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/Johnny Murtagh 11
11) 36(0)-(5)(3)0(3) MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR) Fergus Wilson Paul Murphy/Michael O’Connell 7
12) 11111-22 NEW APPROACH (IRE) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan Jim Bolger IRE/Kevin Manning 3
13) 311214-2 RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor/Frankie Dettori 17
14) 12010-43 RIVER PROUD (USA) Lorraine Spencer Paul Cole/Richard Quinn 4
15) 10-1 TAJAAWEED (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute/Richard Hills 5
16) 2-11 TARTAN BEARER (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore 14
17) 4-22 WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/Colm O’Donoghue 16

17 declared to run
7 Irish-trained

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VODAFONE DERBY TIMING

The fastest-ever time for the Derby came in 1995 when Lammtarra passed the winning post in 2m 32.31s, beating the previous record of 2m 33.8s set by Mahmoud in 1936.

Galileo (2001) has since recorded the second-fastest time of 2m 33.27s, while the third fastest time was seen in 2003 when Kris Kin managed 2m 33.35s and North Light in 2004 put up the fourth fastest in 2m 33.72s.

The first timed Derby came in 1846 when Pyrrhus The First won in 2m 55s, while the slowest-ever time was in 1856 when Ellington stopped the clock at 3m 4s. These early timings may not be reliable.

The slowest Derby time since 1900 came in 1983 when Teenoso was successful in 2m 49.07s and then in 1926 when Coronach took 2m 47.8s to complete the course and in 1924 when Sansovino scored in 2m 46.6s.

Bremont, the official timing sponsor at the 2008 Derby Festival, is one of the few British watch companies and was founded five years ago by Nick and Giles English.

They are proud to have become the initial official timing partner of the Epsom Derby

They make beautiful handmade mechanical watches that retail through a select number of exclusive jewellers around the world.

Bremont’s tagline is “tested beyond endurance” and Nick and Giles felt that there was a strong synergy with the Derby as it is one of the most testing horse races and a great British event. In horseracing, time is everything.

Giles English's wife Kate will be presenting a Bremont watch to the winning jockey, owner and trainer of the 2008 Vodafone Derby.

GLOBAL TRIFECTA ON OFFER FOR THE JUDDMONTE OAKS AND VODAFONE DERBY

Along with the UK, the participating countries are Brazil, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and Russia.

RECORD OF SUPPLEMENTED HORSES IN THE VODAFONE DERBY WHO WERE ENTERED EITHER FIVE DAYS OR A WEEK BEFORE

INJURY SCARE FOR VODAFONE DERBY HOPEFUL RIVER PROUD

Cole’s son and assistant Oliver said today: “River Proud is not 100 percent and he has a suspected pulled muscle.

“It is still a possibility that he might line up tomorrow and we will make a decision later today.”

GROUND “GOOD” FOR VODAFONE DERBY

He said: “I have left the ground description as good and I’m not going to water. The rail will be pushed back as planned and we’ll review the going description in the morning.

“Weather-wise, you wouldn’t rule out a shower here this evening and, equally, there might be some drizzly rain around tomorrow morning.

“I think everyone was happy with the state of the going today and I’d be very happy to call it good ground.”

CROWD OF 19,000

Nick Blofeld, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, said: “We are delighted that the crowd has held up so well during the redevelopment phase and it is very satisfying to witness the continued popularity of Ladies Day.

“We have seen some fantastic racing today and there has been a terrific atmosphere around the racecourse as anticipation builds ahead of tomorrow’s Vodafone Derby.”

2008 VODAFONE DERBY LANDMARKS

Youngest trainer: Paul Murphy (Maidstone Mixture), 33.

Most successful trainers: Henry Cecil (Kandahar Run) has won 4 times from 27 runners. Sir Michael Stoute (Doctor Fremantle, Tartan Bearer and Tajaaweed) has won the race 4 times from 30 runners.

Least successful trainer: Mark Tompkins (Alan Devonshire), no wins from 5 runners.

Horses

Biggest earner: New Approach £494,272

Lowest earner: Bashkirov £1,974

Dearest horse: Alessandro Volta, Bashkirov 300,000 guineas

Cheapest horse: Maidstone Mixture 8,000 euros

Oldest horse: Washington Irving (born January 14, 2005)

Youngest horse: Kandahar Run (born April 13, 2005)

DERBY FESTIVAL 2008 - LADIES DAY
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, FRIDAY, JUNE 6


PERFECT GROUND IN PROSPECT

Blue skies, warm sunshine and a drying breeze at Epsom Downs on Thursday had altered the ground from Good To Soft to Good, with a GoingStick reading of 7.3. With no further rain overnight and blue skies and a fresh wind this morning, there has been a further drying of the ground.

On Thursday, Cooper had contemplated the possibility of some watering prior to Saturday’s Vodafone Derby, but that option is no longer being considered.

“We have a few showers forecast for late this afternoon and from where we are now, we have no plans to water. ” said Cooper.

In order to keep fresh ground for each day’s racing, the inside rail has been dolled off five yards out for today’s racing.

The dolling starts at the mile post and will add about 12 yards to race distances. Tomorrow, the dolling will be removed to provide fresh ground for Vodafone Derby Day.

SWEETER AND SWEETER
ON THE FILLY MICHITA

Totesport report non-stop support for the Pricewise-tipped filly and her odds have tumbled from 11/1 to 8/1. Corals have even wiped those odds from their boards and are as tight as 13/2. Only William Hill are standing against the tide of betting and still hold Michita at 10/1, but Kate Miller of Hills notes that she’s “very popular” at the price. So that offer may not be around for long.

If the betting is any guide, the Judmonte Coronation Cup (3:25pm) is a two-horse race. Getaway has been the clear favourite for a while, but Hills have been “knocked over all week” for Soldier Of Fortune, who is still available at 7/4 (from 11/4 earlier this week). In part, the rush to back the Aidan O’Brien-trained horse, could be ascribed to Andre Fabre’s somewhat cautious appraisal of his horse’s chance in the Racing Post today.

In the totesport betxtra Rose Bowl (2:45pm), the interest has centred on the Luca Cumani-trained Ladies Best (yet another omen for Ladies Day?). Stan James UK have shortened the four-year-old from 6/1 to 4/1, while Corals, VC Bet and totesport are still hanging on in there at 9/2. VC Bet have also shortened Shake On It, in the same race, from a very generous looking 25/1 to 18/1. The Eve Johnson Houghton-trained gelding proving yet again the Pricewise effect.

COLD ON NEW APPROACH?

Corals, despite the drying ground, are going cold on the Jim Bolger-trained New Approach, easing his odds from 9/2 to 5/1. “Jim Bolger thinks the Derby is good enough for New Approach, but the punters may be deciding that New Approach is not good enough for the Derby,” said Simon Clare, of Corals. The horse was only confirmed as a runner on Monday.

Paddy Power have seen support for Doctor Fremantle, in from 10/1 to 8/1, who will be attempting to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute a fifth winner of the Vodafone Derby. Paddy Power are also offering a market on the seven Irish runners in the big race, with Casual Conquest the 13/8 favourite in that market.

The Godolpin-owned Rio De La Plata remains very easy to back. Stan James UK have the horse listed at 16/1. Those odds could shorten on raceday when the public vote, as ever, is given to jockey Frankie Dettori. Having broken his Vodafone Derby duck last year, the ebullient jockey will surely do a double somersault dismount if he wins another one.

The colt that could put a real hole in the bookmakers’ pockets is the outsider of all outsiders, Maidstone Mixture, trained by Paul Murphy, son of Ferdy. Hills estimate that the industry has a £40m liability on the horse, who is currently on offer at 1,000/1. Given the paucity of the form, one assumes that most of that money comes from optimists who live in Kent.

DERBY FESTIVAL 2008 - LADIES DAY
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, FRIDAY, JUNE 6

Race 1: The Juddmonte Diomed Stakes
Winners Quotes

BLYTHE KNIGHT AGAIN

The worrying moment for connections came in the final furling when Blythe Knight and second-placed Alexandros came together. “The second horse wobbled a bit too and looked out on his legs,” said the trainer.

“Graham Gibbons said that Blythe Knight rolled a bit but he won on merit. He maybe idled a bit in the closing stages but Graham’s pulled him off the second.

“You would have to say, looking at the replay, that he won on merit but you are always a bit wary when there’s a stewards’ enquiry. Horses roll around a bit more here when they do get tired and the chips are down.

Blythe Knight did not always appear the winner. “It looked for a moment [in the straight] as if he wasn’t going to get out, but when he got out he sluiced them.

“He came there nicely to win his race. These old horses know more about racing than we do,” said the trainer.

Blythe Knight has been successful under both codes, including winning a Grade Two hurdle at the John Smith’s Grand National Meeting before success in this race at Epsom last year, but the trainer will be single-minded in future.

“He won the Lincoln for us two years ago and then he didn’t win on the Flat so we took him jumping. He won a couple of novice hurdles and a Grade Two at Liverpool .

“Then we brought him here last year before finishing third in a Group race at Longchamp and then I went back hurdling with him. He was disappointing in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle but then he was second in the Kingwell Hurdle to Katchit, which was a good run. Then I ran him in the Champion Hurdle where he didn’t seem to stay in the soft ground.

“He finished second to Smokey Oakey in the Lincilon, trying to give him 18lb which is nigh on impossible. He ran well in a Listed race really well and two Group races. On his last run he ran off 112 carrying top-weight and he ran really well. He doesn’t let you down.

“That’s the end of the jumps. We put him in the Champion Hurdle and he was found wanting. We were never going to trudge him round in handicaps,” he said.

Possible plans include a Group race in Germany. “There’s nothing for him at Ascot and the course doesn’t bring out the best in him. We’ll take him to places that he likes. He likes travelling,” said Quinn.

GIBBONS BANNED

The stewards held that Gibbons’ mount, the winner Blythe Knight, had interfered with the second Alexandros, ridden by Frankie Dettori.

This was due to careless riding on Gibbons’ part in that he caused his mount to drift left without taking sufficient corrective action.

The placings were unaltered as the stewards held that the interference had not improved Blythe Knight’s placing.

Race 1 - Juddmonte Diomed Stakes - Placed Quotes

CRISFORD HAPPY WITH GODOLPHIN DUO

Alexandros, the 100/30 favourite, finished half a length behind the winner Blythe Knight with Young Pretender a further length and three quarters back in third.

Simon Crisford said: “A mile or nine furlongs is Alexandros’ best trip and it will get easier for him as the season goes on. He has run well though.

“He is suited by soft ground, which he should hopefully get in the autumn.

“Young Pretender has also run a good race and he is another horse who should also should find things easier as the season progresses, when he will be running without a penalty.”

GOING REPORT AFTER THE FIRST

STEWARDS INTERVIEW BOLGER AND MANNING

The stewards issue a notice stating: "Mr Bolger requested that New Approach would be placed last in the parade and be led by a pony from there to the start. He assured the Stewards that he would not delay the start and that New Approach would hack behind the other runners, led by the pony.

"Manning confirmed that he would ensure that he arrived at the start at the same time as the other runners. The Stewards accepted Mr Bolger’s request and his undertaking, and told them both that it would be unacceptable to delay the race."


Race 2 - The Jeep Mile (Class 2 Handicap) - winner quotes

JENKINS AFTER CUP GLORY

The four-year-old was based in Ireland with Ger Lyons early in his career before being bought privately by The Three Honest Men syndicate and transferred to John Jenkins’ Royston base.

The 12/1 chance got a good start from stall 11 before hitting the front on the approach to the turn in. He battled tenaciously to the line to repel the late challenges of runner-up Unshakable.

He will now head straight to the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, for which Paddy Power cut him from 50/1 to 33/1.

The winning trainer was more than pleased with the run of Little White Lie, whom he acquired two months ago. He said: “We were hoping that he’d run well and I’m delighted with how he’s run. He’s done well since he came to me - he had a couple of poor runs before The Three Honest Men syndicate bought him.

“Darryll (Holland) was very pleased with him, he kept out of trouble and he’s done it very well. He felt that Little White Lie came on well from Sandown and said that he’d improve again for this run. The Royal Hunt Cup (at Royal Ascot) is the plan for him now and he should get into that race with the penalty he’ll receive for this win.”

Jockey Darryll Holland added: “When you ride at Epsom, position is the most important thing and having the timing and knowing when to kick and what's underneath you. It's a long run-in but I think I got a good position from stall 11 and so I was happy where I was.

“I just coaxed him into the lead passing the road and got him on an even keel so I still had a little bit left in case anything came for me. But he repelled them well and he's a tough horse.

“We were at pains as to whether to run him in the next race, the Rose Bowl over a mile and a quarter, but John and I had a chat the other day and we decided that because he is going to the Royal Hunt Cup it would be pointless to step him up and them drop him straight back down again so hopefully he will go and win that race now.”


SECOND RACE PLACED QUOTES
THE JEEP MILE (HANDICAP)

UNSHAKABLE JUST MISSES OUT ON DOUBLE

“He ran a great race for a nine-year-old and hopefully there might be a bit more to come for him,” said Jones’ daughter Nicola. “We just hope he goes on from this and he’ll probably go to Sandown on Eclipse day for a valuable mile handicap, he’s run well at the course a couple of times.”

David Simcock was pleased with the run of third-placed Vainglory. “The distance just stretched him, ideally he wants a mile with a bit of cut and possibly came from a bit far back,” said Simcock. “He will keep going in these big handicaps and he will win one because he’s so honest and game.”

Race 3 - totesport betXtra Rose Bowl - Winning Quotes

QUIRKY EMIRATES GETS IT RIGHT

The Sunday Silence colt struck the front around quarter of a mile from home under Frankie Dettori and never looked like being passed.

Simon Crisford, Racing Manager for Godolphin, said: “It was all very uncomplicated today and Frankie has given him a great ride.

“The horse is best fresh, as he also showed us when he won at York last year.

“He is a bit of a quirky horse, there is no getting away from that.

“But when he is in the right mood like today, you can see what he can do.

“There are no specific plans for him. You just have to run him when you think he is right.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s Vodafone Derby, where the Maktoum family’s racing operation run Rio De La Plata, Crisford added: “The ground as it is riding at the moment would be fine for us.

“Ideally, he would prefer some give in the ground but he doesn’t want extremes of going. We are not fussy and will just go with what the good lord gives us.”

Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor added: “Emirates Skyline always produces a good result when he runs for the first time in a season.

“He’s been working well and we thought that today would be the right race for him.

“I am happy with him and he will improve for the race. I told Frankie to get into a nice position in the race and the horse has shown plenty of speed and we are happy with the result.

“We will see how the horse comes out of the race before making any plans and he could go to Royal Ascot.”

Race 3: The totesport betXtra Rose Bowl
Placed Quotes

CUMANI STAYS COOL BEFORE CURTAIN COMES UP

“I’m never very good at watching races, it’s all a bit of a haze to me. I will have to sit down and watch it again. I think the winner just had a slightly better kick at the crucial moment. Our horse finished well, though, I think he wants further,” said Sara Cumani, wife of the trainer.

Her husband, she explained, had stayed up in Newmarket to finalise preparation for their Vodafone Derby hope Curtain Call.

“He can’t concentrate when he’s at the races, so he’s stayed at Newmarket. He’s very chilled [on big occasions]. I’m sure there’s some turmoil underneath, but he doesn’t show it,” she said.

Her reports of their Vodafone Derby hope were very positive. “The horse has just done two steady gallops this morning and is fresh and well. The ground is still all right for us, though I suppose if it had been softer it would have worked against everyone else,” she said.

RIDING HIGH THE STYLE ON THE DOWNS WINNER

Once again, leading figures from the world of fashion had the difficult task of choosing the most stylish person as part of the Style on the Downs competition. They were focusing in particular on style and originality; attention to detail; appropriateness of outfit to racing; and appreciation of current fashion trends.

Gina Foster, society milliner, Catherine Dettori, Face of the Festival, and Simon Elliot, Managing Director of Jeep, finally chose 10 stunning finalists. With Dan Walker presenting the Final, the judges’ decision was:

Vanessa Jakovich
Winner

Layla Jordan
Second

Maria Cheslin
Third


The elegant Vanessa Jakovich was wearing a beautiful dress by Australian designer Miin and a coordinating hat created by milliner Stephen Jones. Aside from the honour of winning, Vanessa was overwhelmed to be handed the keys to a brand new Jeep Patriot as first prize, along with a professional photoshoot with renowned photographer Benedict Wray. Layla and Maria also won a Benedict Wray photoshoot and a bottle of Rose Lanson Champagne.

FOURTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
JUDDMONTE CORONATION CUP (GROUP 1)

SOLDIER BRINGS GOOD FORTUNE FOR O’BRIEN AND BOLGER

The O’Brien-trained winner was bred by Bolger and looks a leading candidate for further major race glory this year. He is quoted as short as 2/1 (with Stan James and Paddy Power) for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The winner’s stablemate Macarthur took a commanding lead before coming back to the field, holding on for third.

“Soldier Of Fortune’s a very natural horse,” said O’Brien. “He’s one of those horses that it’s probably just a matter of mind with him. He’s always been a very natural horse and we are delighted with the progress he has made since three. I think it was a level pace that wasn’t that strong because Frankie (Dettori on Red Rocks) pulled the field back off the pace a bit. They had a lot to do and I couldn’t believe that Soldier Of Fortune could get there from where they were because Frankie made it a different race.

“Macarthur is a very good horse and was gone. Soldier Of Fortune did get tired but he’s an exceptional horse. When we go home on Monday everything will be discussed as to the next race he goes for. All races from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half are open to him.

“It’s great for his first run of the year and I’d say I was a bit concerned beforehand but Johnny was extra cool.”


Jockey Johnny Murtagh added: “Macarthur’s a good horse in his own right and if my horse didn’t pick up then he would have won but mine just quickened a bit better

“It went perfect for me with two horses making the running. I said to Seamus (Heffernan) that Macarthur is a good horse in his own right. This boy quickened up and just got a bit tired in the last 100 yards. I think he’s a better horse than last year.

.

“He has strengthened up and is going to be serious horse this year. We thought he could win the Arc last year but he got interfered with although he probably wouldn’t have won.

“But when I rode him in work the other morning I thought he would run very well although whatever he did today I thought he would improve on.”


Owner John Magnier added: “I think for his first run of the year, we would have to be happy with that. By looking at him, you can see a lot of physical improvement from three to four but Aidan felt that like his other horses and most people’s horses that he would improve for the run do, so that was the negative before the race.

“We think a lot of the horse and after he ran in the Arc last year we thought he might be winning a similar race this season. We are not into policies and we take it horse by horse but this is a horse that everybody thought would benefit from being left in training.”


Race 4 - Juddmonte Coronation Cup (Group One) - placed quotes

CHANNON PLEASED WITH CONSISTENT YOUMZAIN

The five-year-old, who was cut to 8/1 for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot, was settled at the back of the field before making his run in the home straight and was always closing at the line.

Trainer Mick Channon was pleased with the five-year-old’s performance, saying: “Youmzain’s run a blinder again - he just needs everything to go right for him but he’s run a great race and I’m very happy.

“He went away from the whip a bit but that was an exception. I’d imagine we will aim him at the King George now.”

Meanwhile, jockey Richard Hughes added: “They went no gallop. Apart from the pacemakers, they walked and it didn’t suit my lad. When I hit him on the left, he went right and when I switched it and hit him on the right, he went left.”


French trainer Andre Fabre, bidding for his seventh win in the race with 5/4 favourite Getaway, who unshipped rider Stephane Pasquier leaving the paddock, felt that his runner was beaten before being boxed in inside the final furlong.

The handler said of the fifth: “Getaway was beaten when he got checked. He just pulled too hard and never settled. He was beaten by better horses.”

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (IRE) FACTFILE - TODAY’S JUDDMONTE CORONATION CUP WINNER

LOOK HERE LIGHTS UP BECKETT

“It’s the most amazing feeling. When all is said and done, we could go skint now and it wouldn’t matter,” he said.

The trainer did not rush his filly as a two-year old. “We left her alone and left her alone and eventually it got to the point where we had to run her and she hosed up at Salisbury which is only 10 minutes away and that form is rock solid,” he said.

The going that day was soft and the horse Look Here beat was Doctor Fremantle, who goes in tomorrow’s Vodafone Derby with a good chance..

In Look Here’s opener this season, in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield, the filly ran second after meeting trouble. “Things didn’t work out for us there,” said Beckett.

Nor was the preparation for the Juddmonte Oaks trouble-free. “She worked diabolically last week, shockingly, and I said we have to work her again because we can’t go there [to Epsom] off the back of this,” said Beckett.

“Then it rained all week and we were chuffed, but in the end that didn’t matter. Before the race, I’m not saying that I was confident, but I knew that she would run a race,” added the trainer.

For Beckett, who missed out on winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2005 when Penkenna Princess went down by the narrowest of margins, this was an very, very welcome consolation.

Beckett’s delight was matched by the owner Julian Richmond-Watson, a former chair of the Epsom Race Committee and the current senior steward of the Jockey Club . “I’ve always loved the place and if there’s one place I’d want to win a big race, it’s here,” he said.

Seb Sanders, riding his first Oaks winner, said: “I made a hash of it in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield, but it was a trial. I found out a lot about her because of that mistake and I could have sat on her a lot longer today but a horse appeared on her outside and I knew I would get home and she’s got a lovely turn of foot.

“I’ve come here today and no-one has asked me anything about her. It’s been absolutely lovely and deep down I really thought that she would run a massive race today. She gave me a really lovely feel at Lingfield and it was disappointing to get beat there but I learnt a lot about her so it’s benefited us today.”


FIFTH RACE PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
JUDDMONTE OAKS (GROUP 1)

LOOK HERE PROVIDES CLASSIC RESULT FOR BECKETT

“It has sunken in yet but I’ve got a feeling of amazement, you just never expect you’ll win a race like this when you start out training. They don’t come along very often,” said Beckett, who has held a licence since November, 1999. “One part of you is looking out for dangers and the other is willing her to go on.

“She ran first time at Salisbury mainly because it is 10 minutes down the road from me, it was good to soft ground and I wanted to get a run into her. She’d actually only done two pieces of work before she ran and only been on the grass once.

“She beat Doctor Fremantle and I thought it was a solid run but thought after the race that Doctor Fremantle might have had an off day. I was in the sales in Ireland and Kerrin McEvoy rang me on the way home then rang me the following morning, which I thought was unusual. His agent got in touch with me at the start of the season asking about riding plans for her.

“She was sent back for a good break at her owner’s place until January and then came second at Lingfield. I was hopeful we would turn the form round from there and we were making sure we held her together and got her here in one piece. But we never do anything too serious with her at home.

“We’ve trained two of her sisters and they were best fresh and I’ll endeavour to bear that in mind for the rest of the time Look Here is with us. I was actually worried today might come a bit soon for her.

“My immediate reaction, and it is my prerogative to change my mind, is that I won’t travel her for the Irish Oaks. She was quite warm and edgy beforehand and it’s the travelling that would worry me.

“She didn’t break sweat when she galloped last week but she showed us what we needed to see when she worked again on Saturday.

“I’m delighted for Seb (Sanders), loyalty is his key word and that works for both of us. He and I got beaten a head in the Irish Guineas (with Penkenna Princess) and I must thank Sir Mark (Prescott) for letting him off from Wolverhampton this afternoon - his agent and I really did have that conversation!”

For Richmond-Watson, who is a former chairman of the Epsom Downs race committee, it was the culmination of a 38-year career as a racehorse owner.

“Ever since I left school Epsom has been my favourite racecourse and if I could choose to win a good race anywhere it would be here,” said Richmond-Watson, who is also senior steward of the Jockey Club. “I’ve always dreamed of winning the Derby but the Oaks is a very good second best - it’s only when they have gone past the post that you believe it.

“It’s only my second runner in a classic (after Kayah was ninth last year in the Juddmonte Oaks) and you know you are pitching at windmills. You dream of winning the mile and a half classics and that’s what I breed for.

“I should also put it a word for the Jockey Club who have brought back Epsom from where it was. The redevelopment of the stand would be very hard to justify on commercial grounds and I am looking forward to seeing it opened next year.”



Race 5 - Juddmonte Oaks (Group One) - placed quotes

OXX UPBEAT ON UNLUCKY KATIYRA

He explained: “Katiyra ran well. She was impeded a little bit coming down the hill, got caught in traffic and stumbled and lost her hind legs crossing the road. It cost her a bit at the time - maybe second place.

“But she ran very well in the straight - stayed on and quickened up well. She was maybe a little bit inexperienced, which was our worry but I’m overall quite happy.”

Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien was also happy with the performance of the second placed Moonstone, one of six runners the Irish handler saddled in the one and a half-mile Classic.

“We were delighted with Moonstone’s run. I’ll have to watch the race again to get a proper look at it though.”


Race 5 - Juddmonte Oaks (Group One) - more quotes

SMULLEN “VERY DISAPPOINTED”

He said: “Chinese White just stopped very quick. I thought going down to the two-furlong marker that I had a big chance of winning but she just didn’t pick up.

“Maybe something will come to light but I just can’t put anything on it yet. I’m very disappointed.”


Meanwhile, Kevin Manning, rider of 5/2 favourite Lush Lashes, who finished fifth, was also very disappointed with his filly, but simply said that “she just didn’t stay, full stop”.

The John Gosden-trained seventh Michita, who was the subject of a gamble when going off at 8/1, didn’t handle the undulating track at Epsom Downs according to her handler.

He said: “Michita absolutely hated the track. She didn’t come down the hill well but stayed on great in the end.”


FIFTH RACE ADDITIONAL QUOTES
JUDDMONTE OAKS (GROUP 1)

MURTAGH DISAPPOINTED

LOOK HERE (GB) FACTFILE - TODAY’S JUDDMONTE OAKS WINNER

Juddmonte Oaks Wins: 2008 LOOK HERE

Ralph Beckett
Born June 24, 1971, Ralph Beckett is a cousin of Prince Khalid Abdulla’s racing manager Lord Grimthorpe. Formerly assistant to Peter Walwyn, he began training at his old boss’ Windsor House Stables, Lambourn, in November, 1999, and moved to his present base, David Elsworth’s former stables at Whitsbury Manor Stables, Hampshire, in January, 2006. Beckett previously worked for the likes of Martin Pipe, Arthur Moore, Jimmy Fitzgerald, David Loder, Australian trainer Colin Hayes and Tom Skiffington in the US. He came close to Classic victory in 2005 when Penkenna Princess was beaten a short-head in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The filly had already won the Listed Oh So Sharp Stakes and Group Three Fred Darling Stakes. Richmond-Watson’s father sent Beckett the last horse he had in training but sadly passed away before the filly won at Beverley. He gained an emotional first Classic victory when Look Here, owned by Julian Richmond Watson, won the Juddmonte Oaks at Epsom Downs in 2008.

Juddmonte Oaks Record (since 1984): 2007-9 Kayah; 2008-1 LOOK HERE

Seb Sanders
Born September 25, 1971, Sanders began his racing life as an apprentice at Bryan McMahon’s yard near Tamworth. That was one of his local stables as he is a Midlander by origin and remains a keen supporter of Birmingham City. His first success came when Band On The Run won at Pontefract in July, 1990, and has never really looked back since becoming champion apprentice in 1995. He moved on from McMahon’s to a successful link-up with Reg Akehurst when that trainer was winning many big handicaps from his Epsom base and has since developed very successful associations with Peter Makin and Sir Mark Prescott, who has retained his services as stable jockey since 2004. His biggest wins have come via Compton Place, who won the Group One Darley July Cup at Newmarket in 1997 at 50/1, Bachelor Duke, winner of the 2004 Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Prescott-trained Confidential Lady who won the 2006 Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks). His first English Classic success came on Look Here in the 2008 Juddmonte Oaks. He has become a regular in the top half dozen in the jockeys’ championship in recent seasons, having ridden a century of winners in each of the last six years and last year shared the title with Jamie Spencer after the duo tied on 190 winners each. Sanders and his wife Leona, whom he first met racing at York and persisted in asking out until she finally submitted, live near Bury St Edmunds. Mrs Sanders is fluent in seven languages and worked as a stewardess for Japan Airlines until she retired in 2001. She competed in the showing ring in her younger days and they have enjoyed success in the point-to-point field with The Graduate.

Juddmonte Oaks Record (since 1984): 2005-7 Cassydora; 2007-9 Kayah; 2008-1 LOOK HERE


Race 6 - Help For Heroes Surrey Stakes (Listed) - winner quotes

IGUAZU TO STEP UP IN CLASS

Under Frankie Dettori, the son of Pivotal hit the front less than two furlongs from home and showed a scintillating turn of foot to race clear before being eased at the line.

Winning trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Frankie was very happy with Iguazu Falls. We’re delighted with the result, he’s an improving horse. It was great to see him win a Listed race and maybe now we’ll step him up to Group Three.

“The horse showed a good turn of foot and that he has plenty of speed. He really quickened away from them today and we’ll try to keep him over the same distance (seven furlongs).

“We’ve no immediate plans, I want to see how he comes out of the race. We’ll keep our options open with him.”

Meanwhile Simon Crisford, racing manager for Godolphin, added: “We’re really, really pleased because he was running back very quickly from his last race so there’s always a doubt that it can have an effect on them. But he didn’t show any signs of that today, which was great.”


Race 7: The Tattenham Stakes
Winners Quotes

BELLOMI KEEPS HIS NERVE

“He can be a little bit wound up, so we took him down early. It’s a very fine line with him and William’s got it just right,” said Gail Hucking, assistant to trainer William Haggas, who is at Doncaster for the evening meeting tonight.

The horse had won his maiden last year when trained by Mick Chanon. That win had come on fast ground, but connections were not concerned that the ground would be too slow. “Our only worry was that they would not go fast enough, but they did,” said Hucking.

There were no immediate plans for Bellomi, who will now probably see his official rating move into the nineties. Going to Ascot, though, was ruled out.

FOUR-DAY BAN FOR DETTORI

The stewards held that Dettori’s mount interfered with Mr Aviator, who finished 10th, inside the three-furlong marker, and that this was due to careless riding in that he made a manoeuvre to his right when not sufficiently clear. For this incident, he was given a three-day ban.

In the second incident, the stewards found that Dettori had interfered with seventh-placed Eradicate inside the two-furlong marker and that this was due to careless riding, in that he had allowed Emirates Skyline to drift left without taking sufficient corrective action. For this, he received a one-day ban.

DERBY FEIVAL 2008 - LADIES DAY
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, FRIDAY, JUNE 6

FIRST RACE RESULT
1.40pm JUDDMONTE DIOMED STAKES (GROUP 3)

SECOND RACE RESULT
2.10pm JEEP MILE HANDICAP

THIRD RACE RESULT
2.45pm TOTESPORT BETEXTRA ROSE BOWL HERITAGE HANDICAP

FOURTH RACE RESULT

3.25pm JUDDMONTE CORONATION CUP (GROUP ONE)

FIFTH RACE RESULT

4.05pm JUDDMONTE OAKS (GROUP ONE)

SIXTH RACE RESULT

4.50pm HELP FOR HEROES SURREY STAKES (LISTED)

SEVENTH RACE RESULT

5.25pm Tattenham Handicap

LEADING TRAINER STANDINGS AT THE END OF DAY 1

LEADING JOCKEY STANDINGS AT THE END OF DAY 1

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

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