Monday, July 19, 2004

BALDING AIMS TOM TUN AT INAUGURAL SKYBET DASH

The nine-year-old, one of 19 five-day entries for this major new contest, was runner-up to Blackheath in the Scottish Stewards' Cup Handicap on his last start on fast ground at Hamilton on Friday.

South Yorkshire-based Balding said: "I would imagine that Tom Tun will take his chance in the Skybet Dash.

"He's come out of Hamilton good and he ran an excellent race there. He does prefer cut in the ground and I think it was a very good effort on the old horse's part - I would say that he ran to his best in Scotland."

Tom Tun filled the same position behind last year's Ayr Gold Cup hero Quito in a rated handicap at York in May, when going down by three lengths. Asked if he thought the gelding is suited by York, Balding replied: "Obviously Tom Tun likes a good, stiff track and uphill but I think a lot depends on if we get a drop of rain.

"York is a very good galloping track and I wouldn't think the ground would be any faster than it was at Hamilton - that's for sure.

"It's down to the old boy - if he gets his going head on at the weekend then that's the ticket!"

In addition Jeremy Noseda could run Two Step Kid, who was successful on fast ground in the William Hill Trophy at York on June 12, when getting the better of Delphie Queen by a neck.

Valerie Griffiths, Director of Hesmonds Stud, the owner of Two Step Kid, said: "Two Step Kid's participation in the Skybet Dash or a race at Ascot on Sunday all depends on the ground and whether there is rain.

"At the minute he will probably go for one or the other. If the ground were the same at both venues, I think I would leave it up to our trainer."

The Skybet Dash at 3.25pm is one of three races that Sky Bet is sponsoring at York on July 24 - the other two contests are the £15,000-added Skybet Press Red To Bet on Channel Four Nursery (2.20pm), over five furlongs, which could see 14 possibles line up on the Knavesmire, and the £15,000-added Skybet Interactive Betting on Channel Four Handicap (2.50pm), over seven furlongs for three-year-olds, which has attracted an excellent 26 five-day entries.

Dale Tempest, the Sky Bet public relations director, said: "We are absolutely delighted that our new sponsorship at York has really appealed to the connections of suitable horses.

"All three of the Sky Bet events have attracted quality fields and we are looking forward to extremely competitive racing on the Knavesmire this weekend."

SUNDAY FUNDAY AT PONTEFRACT

The most valuable race of the afternoon is The Pomfret Rated Stakes, a £20,000 handicap race over one mile, while sprinters take part in the £15,000 toteplacepot Handicap Stakes over six furlongs.

The third running of The Graham Rock Memorial Handicap Stakes is a contest for three-year-olds over one mile and a quarter. The late Graham Rock was a much-respected racing journalist, who was the first editor of The Racing Post. He was latterly the racing correspondent for The Observer and a member of BBC Television's racing team. He was also a successful racehorse owner; his colours were carried to memorable victories by Pasternak in both The John Smith's Cup at York and The Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in 1997 – trained and ridden respectively by Sir Mark Prescott and George Duffield – who appropriately teamed up to win this race last year with Coat Of Honour. Sir Mark is sure to have a runner in Sunday's race. Graham Rock's roots were always in Yorkshire and he visited Pontefract many times as a youngster and also later in life when working for Timeform and the now-defunct Sporting Chronicle.

L & J Windows of Doncaster return to sponsor for the fourth time on a Sunday at Pontefract, supporting a Classified Stakes race over one mile and a half, while this meeting is supported for the second year by Tolent Construction of Wakefield, as they put their name to a race for maiden two-year-olds over five furlongs.

The giant totesport Screen, situated opposite the main stands, will assist racegoers to follow all of the action during the afternoon; musical entertainment is provided by the Tom Roberts Jazz Band, while the ‘Derby Serenaders', a Latino dance troupe provide glamour and colour to the proceedings.

As usual, accompanied children over 16 years of age are admitted free of charge into all enclosures. The range of attractions in the Third Enclosure includes free performances by The National Festival Circus, a children's Fun Fair, bouncy castle, go-karts, face-painting, a jester and juggler. There's also a supervised crèche facility and free sweets – while stocks last!

BUSY FRIDAY AT THIRSK

Older fillies and mares are catered for in The Stanland Warwick Dryer Fillies' Handicap Stakes, a sprint contest over six furlongs supported for the second year by the Stanland Group Ltd., whose head office is in Middlesbrough and which specialise in laundry equipment supplies and services.

The Adrian Tate Handicap Stakes - a race for three-year-olds - is the longest race of the afternoon, run over one mile and a half. It is held once again in memory of a racing enthusiast who passed away in October 2000.

Chantry Chemicals of Bingley sponsor a contest for maiden three-year-olds to celebrate the retirement last year of the company's founder, Michael Wood, who is a keen racegoer.

There's a variety of attractions for young racegoers in the Family Ring, including an appearance by 'Flo the Clown', while musical entertainment is provided by the Bob Jones Ragtime Band.

NEW SATURDAY AT YORK IS MUSIC SHOWCASE DAY

The action on the track begins at 1.50 p.m. and the principal race is a brand new contest, The Skybet Dash, a £50,000 sprint over six furlongs designated a Heritage Handicap, which should attract some top speed merchants. This race compliments two other feature races sponsored on the day by Skybet, one of the largest horseracing, sports betting and gaming companies in the U.K. The other races are a Nursery Handicap for two-year-olds and a Handicap contest for three-year-olds over seven furlongs.

The Hovis Maiden Stakes for two-year-olds and The Mr. Kipling Exceedingly Good Claiming Stakes are held in support of the Charity ‘Caravan', the National Grocers Benevolent Fund which provides financial aid for people who have served in the grocery industry.

Pickerings Lifts, sponsor for the first time at York, supporting a Handicap race for fillies and mares as part of the company's 150th anniversary celebrations, while The Duncan Wiltshire Memorial Rated Stakes – the longest race of the day over one mile and a half – is a Handicap contest which remembers a former owner and regular racegoer who always enjoyed racing at York.

There's a special pause during racing on Saturday to enable racegoers to watch the big race from Ascot, The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, on the pair of giant totesport Screens; the racecard will also be interleaved with the main races from Ascot.

The popular ‘Punters Panel' takes place prior to racing helping racegoers to identify possible winners.

The Commitments and The Ransome Silver Band will play ‘live' on a special stage situated opposite the main grandstands from approximately 5.30 p.m. until 7.45 p.m.

Since featuring in the hit film of 1991, The Commitments have entertained over 3 million fans, incorporating some 1,000 ‘live' gigs worldwide, while The Ransome Silver Band – the winners of national titles will perform a medley of popular band music from the movies and the Proms. Members of the band will also perform in between races at ‘musical venues' around the course.

Top-class racing and vibrant ‘live' music combine to provide a Saturday to remember at York.

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

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