Wednesday, July 19, 2006

BUTLER DUO AMONG VODAFONE STEWARDS' CUP ACCEPTORS - BARKER BIDDING FOR MORE GOODWOOD SUCCESS

Butler saddled the Michael Tabor-owned Bayeux to capture the John Smith's Scottish Stewards' Cup at Hamilton on July 14, and is hoping for a repeat result in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup at Goodwood on Saturday, August 5.

The trainer reported: "He did very well at Hamilton but the Vodafone Stewards' Cup might be a little bit tougher. The handicapper put him up five pounds but he'll run off a 3lb penalty so I can't complain about that."

Bayeux (8st 13lb) could be joined in the six-furlong showpiece by stablemate Bonus (8st 7lb) who was collared close home when a head second to Taqseem in the John Roarty Memorial Scurry Handicap over six furlongs at the Curragh on July 2.

Butler revealed: "At the moment the plan is for them to go to the Vodafone Stewards' Cup. Bonus may fall short of the cut but hopefully he'll run one more time at Ascot in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sprint (Sunday, July 30), and if he earned himself another three pounds I'd be very pleased as that would give him a good chance of getting in, but both are intended runners.

"I'm very happy with both of them. They're two nice horses to have in the yard - big strong sprinting geldings - you can't have enough of them.

"Bayeux doesn't want extremes of going. He doesn't want it firm, that's why we went to Hamilton the other day."

A maximum of 28 horses can go to post for the 2006 Vodafone Stewards' Cup.

North Yorkshire trainer David Barker is hoping to make another successful sortie to the West Sussex course with his speedy mares Sierra Vista (9st 3lb) and Mecca's Mate (9st 2lb).

The former won the Zuhair Handicap at the Glorious Goodwood Festival last term before running fifth in the Stewards' Sprint Handicap (the consolation race for those who fail to make it into the Vodafone Stewards' Cup) two days later, while Mecca's Mate was fifth in the Group Three Audi Stakes (King George Stakes) before finishing mid-division in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup.

Barker revealed: "They would either take the Vodafone Stewards' Cup or the Audi Stakes. The plan is to go to Goodwood but they wouldn't be running twice. The idea at the moment would be for one to run in the Audi Stakes and one to compete in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup but we'll decide that nearer the time.

"I couldn't be happier with the pair of them but we need the weather to change before either of them come out again."

The defection of top-weight Baltic King sees the weights for the prestigious six-furlong heritage handicap raised 2lb, with the James Fanshawe-trained Wokingham runner-up Firenze, the current market leader, set to carry 9st.

The handicap is now topped by the Tim Easterby-trained Group One winner, Fayr Jag (9st 10lb), successful in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes over six furlongs at Newcastle on July 1, and subsequently 10th to Les Arcs in the Group One Darley July Cup.

The Hughie Morrison-trained Intrepid Jack (8st 12lb) remains on course for the Vodafone Stewards' Cup following a fine second to Mine in the Ladbrokes Bunbury Cup over seven furlongs at Newmarket on July 14, where Marching Song (8st 10lb) was third.

Tax Free (9st 9lb) is one of 25 Dandy Nicholls-trained sprinters who stand their ground, along with totescoop6 Northern Sprint winner Indian Trail (9st 4lb), who followed his Newcastle success with a sixth-place finish behind Somnus at Haydock on July 8.

The Nicholls team, successful in the Vodafone Stewards' Cup in 2005 with Gift Horse, could also include Gosforth Park Cup winner Peace Offering, who was over one and a half lengths fourth behind Fantasy Explorer in a five-furlong Ayr Handicap on July 17.

Robin Bastiman's smart Borderlescott (9st 4lb) is among those still engaged and could make the trip to Goodwood from his Wetherby base. The progressive gelding won a six-furlong handicap at York in May before running fourth in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot.

Beaver Patrol (8st 9lb), trained by Fulke Johnson Houghton, highlighted his well-being ahead of a possible Vodafone Stewards' Cup bid when a neck second to Wyatt Earp in the John Smith's Extra Cold Handicap at York on July 15, with Connect (8st 9lb), First Order (8st 3lb) and High Reach (8st 6lb) behind.

Tawaassol (8st 5lb), trained by Sir Michael Stoute, did his Vodafone Stewards' Cup credentials no harm when a close fourth behind Pivotal Point, Benbaun and The Trader in the five-furlong Group Three Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes at Sandown on July 8.

Last year's runner-up Fonthill Road (9st 2lb) remains engaged, as do the Kevin Ryan-trained Desert Commander (8st 13lb), Mutamared (8st 12lb) and Distinctly Game (8st 6lb).

THE VODAFONE STEWARDS' CUP
Class 2, Heritage Handicap, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. For 3yo+, Goodwood, Saturday, August 5, 2006, 6f. Highest weight: not less than 9st 10lb; minimum weight 7st 12lb. Penalties: after July 1, a winner 3lb; a winner of 2 races 5lb. Entries closed June 21, entries revealed June 27 (129 entries), weights revealed July 5, forfeit stage July 18 (102 remain), weights raised by 2lb, five-day confirmation stage July 31, final declaration stage 10.00am, August 3. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys & correct up to and including the racing of Tuesday, July 18, 2006.

Form Horse Age/Wgt Owner Trainer
20-45010 FAYR JAG (IRE) 7-9-10 Jonathan Gill Tim Easterby
111-330 TAX FREE (IRE) 4-9-09 Ian Hewitson David Nicholls
3-61100 ONE PUTRA (IRE) 4-9-08 HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah Michael Jarvis
0/1342-8 MUSADIF (USA) 8-9-08 Mrs E Kvisla Roy Kvisla
0000204 BECKERMET (IRE) 4-9-08 Bishopthorpe Racing Two Roger Fisher
-(6)05616 INDIAN TRAIL 6-9-04 Martin Love David Nicholls
1231-14 BORDERLESCOTT 4-9-04 Border Rail & Plant Limited Robin Bastiman
1-03304 STRIKE UP THE BAND 3-9-04 The Oak Apple Syndicate David Nicholls
3162-00 AJIGOLO 3-9-04 Timberhill Racing Partnership Mick Channon
41-42430 SIERRA VISTA 6-9-03 David Metcalfe David Barker
10-0300 OUT AFTER DARK 5-9-03 The Night Owls Clive Cox
5202-50 FONTHILL ROAD (IRE) 6-9-02 Una Towell Richard Fahey
2002014 PEACE OFFERING (IRE) 6-9-02 Lady O'Reilly David Nicholls
2-03306 MECCA'S MATE 5-9-02 David Metcalfe David Barker
320300 BAHIANO (IRE) 5-9-02 Clive Brittain Clive Brittain
160(5)040 OBE GOLD 4-9-02 BDR Partnership Mick Channon
00-2005 BOND CITY (IRE) 4-9-02 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
004000 FIRE UP THE BAND 7-9-02 P Crane, A Barker & S Short David Nicholls
564335 BAHAMIAN PIRATE (USA) 11-9-01 Lucayan Stud And G G N Bloodstock David Nicholls
0-0000(2) TEXAS GOLD 8-9-00 Clive Edginton William Muir
630-312 FIRENZE 5-9-00 Jan Hopper James Fanshawe
-(3)(1)(1)041 BAYEUX (USA) 5-8-13 (3lb ex) Michael Tabor Gerard Butler
(3)(3)(0)0001 ONE MORE ROUND (USA) 8-8-13 Nigel Shields Nick Littmoden
461/-101 DESERT COMMANDER (IRE) 4-8-13 R J H Limited Kevin Ryan
024-6402 EXCUSEZ MOI (USA) 4-8-13 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Clive Brittain
500-240 COLEORTON DANCER 4-8-12 Coleorton Moor Racing Kevin Ryan
1-2124 OBE BRAVE 3-8-12 BDR Partnership Mick Channon
1420-602 INTREPID JACK 4-8-12 Michael Lynch Hughie Morrison
10-(1)100 MUTAMARED (USA) 6-8-12 Errigal Racing Kevin Ryan
21/0-200 MUNADDAM (USA) 4-8-12 Hamdan Al Maktoum Ed Dunlop
40-44020 TALBOT AVENUE 8-8-12 Mrs C S Wilson Mick Mullineaux
(4)410400 MERLIN'S DANCER 6-8-11 Chalfont Foodhalls Ltd David Nicholls
(6)360300 IF PARADISE 5-8-10 Mrs J Wood Richard Hannon
12-3205 KING'S GAIT 4-8-10 Mrs E J Wills Tim Easterby
500-(5)203 MARCHING SONG 4-8-10 The Queen Richard Hannon
46-01000 ZOMERLUST 4-8-10 P J Carr Jimmy Quinn
0-000040 JUST JAMES 7-8-10 Lucayan Stud David Nicholls
000-03622 WOODCOTE (IRE) 4-8-09 Dennis Shaw Clive Cox
3-(3)01042 BEAVER PATROL (IRE) 4-8-09 G C Stevens Fulke Johnson Houghton
050-05003 CONNECT 9-8-09 Mrs P R Bowring Mark Tompkins
11101-630 GIMASHA 4-8-08 Ziad Galadari William Jarvis
(1)-210 BENTONG (IRE) 3-8-08 H R H Sultan Ahmad Shah Paul Cole
0-060340 CONTINENT 9-8-07 Lucayan Stud And G G N Bloodstock David Nicholls
212-4(0)30 JOHANNES (IRE) 3-8-07 John Nicholls Ltd/David Kilburn David Nicholls
6000-16 DAZZLING BAY 6-8-07 GHMW Racing Tim Easterby
041(1)-(1)52 BONUS (IRE) 6-8-07 The Bonus Partnership Gerard Butler
(6)001207 GOLDEN DIXIE (USA) 7-8-07 Vicki Davies Ron Harris
4601-000 KENMORE 4-8-07 Alfi and Partners David Nicholls
510-42535 ICE PLANET 5-8-06 David Faulkner David Nicholls
0000-00 DISTINCTLY GAME 4-8-06 Mr & Mrs Julian and Rosie Richer Kevin Ryan
00(3)24110 FOLGA 4-8-06 (3lb ex) The Thrill Seekers James Given
0(4)24025 IDLE POWER (IRE) 8-8-06 The Idle B'S Jim Boyle
00-30005 HIGH REACH 6-8-06 Mrs D Edginton William Muir
-0022006 RISING SHADOW (IRE) 5-8-05 G Morrill David Barron
00303/-3 CRIMSON SILK 6-8-05 Mick White Partnership Bryan Smart
3-12124 TAWAASSOL (USA) 3-8-05 Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute
060-5100 DON PELE (IRE) 4-8-05 Pedro Rosas Kevin Ryan
1-410064 SWINBROOK (USA) 5-8-04 Matthew Green & Lady Sophia Topley James Toller
4(6)50030 PIETER BRUEGHEL (USA) 7-8-04 David Faulkner David Nicholls
/-(0)(0)0(2)54 FIRST ORDER 5-8-03 Andrew Reid Ernst Oertel
160-40403 MINE BEHIND 6-8-02 M Folan, R Lees, R Crampton John Best
302(6)-605 TONY THE TAP 5-8-02 K J & Mrs S Mercer Bryn Palling
(0)021112 BLUE TOMATO 5-8-01 (3lb ex) Dab Hand Racing Milton Bradley
04-200051 GALLANTRY 4-8-01(3lb ex) The Circle Bloodstock I Limited David Barker
02412426 HANDSOME CROSS (IRE) 5-8-01 Cereal Partners David Nicholls
0-(0)00000 TRAYTONIC 5-8-01 Clipper Group Holdings David Nicholls
5-3(0)5000 HIDDEN DRAGON (USA) 7-8-01 Jane, Victoria, Aimee & Thelma Whiting Jeff Pearce
-(0)101246 MY GACHO (IRE) 4-8-00 Grant Mercer & R G Toes David Barron
0-601304 BOND BOY 9-8-00 Reg Bond Bryan Smart
-(6)052105 DHAULAR DHAR (IRE) 4-8-00 Jim Goldie Jim Goldie
-0603314 CARIBBEAN CORAL 7-7-13 (3lb ex) Dawson, Green, Quinn, Roberts John Quinn
006050314 FANTASY BELIEVER 8-7-13 (3lb ex) The Fantasy Fellowship B John Quinn
00-6(0)463 FAST HEART 5-7-13 Tony Perkins David Nicholls
(0)206(1)52 HARRY UP 5-7-12 The Fishermen Kevin Ryan
00-(0)0040 FUNFAIR WANE 7-7-12 The Wayward Lads David Nicholls
0-502400 KINGSCROSS 8-7-11 Mrs D Ellis Michael Blanshard
(6)(0)00303 DESPERATE DAN 5-7-10 Mountgrange Stud Jamie Osborne
4065316- ABIENTOT (IRE) 4-7-10 Leslie Donnelly David Barker
4333-000 GOODWOOD SPIRIT 4-7-10 Raymond Tooth Milton Bradley
355102 ROYAL CHALLENGE 5-7-10 Killarney Glen Mark Tompkins
013232(4)(2) NAUTICAL 8-7-09 Gary Roberts Tony Carroll
0(0)(0)-45000 SMOKIN BEAU 9-7-09 Vanessa Church David Nicholls
0611000 DON'T TELL SUE 3-7-09 J R May Julia Tooth
0-300000 WANCHAI LAD 5-7-08 Ambrose Turnbull David Nicholls
05645020 PLATEAU 7-7-08 Ian Hewitson David Nicholls
(0)(4)(0)-110 BALAKIREF 7-7-07 Septimus Racing Group Michael Dods
130-(0)0004 PACHELLO (IRE) 4-7-05 Eddie Hayward Milton Bradley
-10(1)60(0)40 HIGH RIDGE 7-7-05 James Bookmakers Ltd Milton Bradley
/-(1)(5)5(2)(0)0 FINANCIAL TIMES (USA) 4-7-04 Stef Liddiard Stef Liddiard
023414 BLACKHEATH (IRE) 10-7-03 Middleham Park Racing XX & Streamhill David Nicholls
03302036 CHINALEA (IRE) 4-7-03 Gwyn Powell and Peter Ridgers Clive Cox
003350000 TROJAN FLIGHT 5-7-03 Timothy O'Gram David Chapman
0(0)-00(1)5 PRINCE CYRANO 7-7-03 I Johnson Willie Musson
(0)1(2)0230 CIRCUIT DANCER (IRE) 6-7-03 David Fish David Nicholls
004400 DANZIG RIVER (IRE) 5-7-02 Anna Graves David Nicholls
-0(6)00502 CURRENCY 9-7-00 Robert Bailey Milton Bradley
02356(0)0 BRIGADORE 7-6-13 White Rose Poultry Ltd James Given
(4)-041430 DIVINE SPIRIT 5-6-12 The Newcastle Racing Club Michael Dods
100-00050 BETSEN (IRE) 4-6-11 T G Meynell David Nicholls
160-0(0)005 HYPNOTIC 4-6-11 Bill Wallace / Gary Butters David Nicholls
664430 KEMPSEY 4-6-11 Terry Thorn John Bridger
(5)-0(2)30345 SUMMER RECLUSE (USA) 7-6-11 Clifton Hunt Milton Bradley

102 entries remaining

ELSWORTH CONSIDERS SKY BET OPTION FOR SNOQUALMIE - BRITTAIN'S SKY BET KANDIDATE

The exciting new 10-furlong contest for three-year-olds and upwards could be the next outing for David Elsworth's charge, who stylishly bounced back from a disappointing effort in the Vodafone Derby to take the 10-furlong Listed Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Jeff Smith-owned three-year-old is held in high regard and subsequently took his chance in the Group One Eclipse at Sandown on July 8, when he ran with credit to finish sixth to David Junior, beaten under five lengths.

Elsworth revealed this morning: "He's in the Juddmonte International (August 22) at York so he can go there after the Sky Bet York Stakes. It's definitely under consideration as it would be a good idea to run in both. It's important to have these good races.

"He's fine after his run in the Eclipse. He did it well at Ascot but that was against his own age and it wasn't a Group One, whereas at Sandown he was in against better horses and maybe that was his limit, but he ran a sound race. I do think there's a bit more to come from him though.

"I'm considering dropping him to a mile at some stage. It's difficult to find their trip sometimes. If you look back at the Ascot race, he had it won but then in the last 50 yards the other horse, who had looked beaten, was getting back at him. I've watched it again and I think he may just have been running out of energy."

Snoqualmie Boy could face the Clive Brittain-trained Kandidate in the Sky Bet York Stakes.

Brittain's charge, a winner at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, in January and twice victorious on the Polytrack this year, was considered talented enough to compete in Group One company this term in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes, both over a mile.

Kandidate returned to Listed class at Sandown on July 7 and scored a decisive victory in the 10-furlong Seymour Pierce Gala Stakes, pulling two and a half lengths clear of second-placed Windsor Knot.

Brittain reported: "Kandidate is very well after his win at Sandown so he's certainly a candidate. He's in a Listed race at Newbury on Saturday (July 22) but I think the York race is definitely one we'd be considering."

The Sky Bet York Stakes is one of six races sponsored by the leading sports betting company on the seven-race card, which also features the prestigious £50,000 Sky Bet Dash Heritage Handicap over six furlongs.

Last year's high-class renewal went to the Barry Hills-trained La Cucaracha, who returned to the Knavesmire the following month and secured victory in the Group One VC Bet Nunthorpe Stakes.

Racing commences at 2.10pm with the £15,000 Skybet.com EBF Fillies' Handicap over 10 furlongs and is followed at 2.40pm by the two and a quarter mile Sky Bet Press Red To Bet On Channel Four Handicap, worth £12,500.

The Sky Bet Dash will take place at 3.15pm and the Sky Bet York Stakes at 3.50pm. The two features precede the running of the six-furlong £10,100 Sky Bet Median Auction Stakes (4.25pm) and the £10,000 skybet.com Claiming Stakes (5.00pm) over seven furlongs.

Dale Tempest, Sky Bet PR Director, commented: "The Sky Bet York Stakes is an exciting venture for both Sky Bet and York Racecourse, who must be applauded for there foresight in bringing yet another high-class contest to the Knavesmire.

"The Sky Bet York Stakes reaffirms Sky Bet's commitment to the sport and strengthens our partnership with York. We look forward to a thrilling inaugural running of the race, which will complement what is already a quality raceday, featuring one of the season's top sprint handicaps, the Sky Bet Dash."

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course at York, added: "We're delighted to be able to add another quality race to a day in late July that has gone from strength to strength. We were already looking forward to the Sky Bet Dash and the return of top tribute band, Killer Queen, and the news of these possible runners means we are set for even more tremendous entertainment."

York now boasts a Pattern race on 11 of its traditional 15 days of racing, emphasising the quality of racing on the Knavesmire throughout the season.

Sky Bet is supporting another first at York on Thursday evening, July 27, when it sponsors the first race run over the trip of five and a half furlongs at the course. The contest is part of the preparations for the temporary relocation of the St Leger Festival in September, when the Portland Handicap will be over this unusual sprinting distance.

About Sky Bet
Sky Bet, a wholly owned company of BskyB, is one of the UK's leading betting and gaming companies and industry leaders in the development of interactive TV betting.

To access Sky Bet, just press red on your Sky Digital remote when watching a Sky Channel, alternatively you can visit www.skybet.com or call Freephone 08000 722 421 for Sky Bet Debit betting.

YORK RACECOURSE JULY MEETING

ORDER OF RUNNING 2006

Thursday, July 27
Gates open 4.00 pm

Channel 4 or Racing UK Race Time Race Title Age Prize money Distance

Racing UK 6.00 pm The Four High Petergate Hotel and Sawfish Software Maiden Auction Stakes 2 £10,100 Seven furlongs

Racing UK 6.30 pm First TransPennine Express Stakes (Handicap 61-80) 3 £10,000 Six furlongs

Racing UK 7.00 pm Skybet.com Portland Trial Stakes (Handicap 71-90) 3+ £12,500 Five & a half furlongs

Racing UK 7.30 pm Rose of York Conditions Stakes 4+ £16,000 One mile

Racing UK 8.00 pm Garrowby Handicap Stakes 81-100 3 £20,000 One & a half miles

Racing UK 8.30 pm Sgt Pepper's Handicap Stakes 56-75 3+ £8,500 One mile & one furlong


Saturday, July 29
Gates open 11.15 am

Channel 4 or Racing UK Race Time Race Title Age Prize money Distance

Channel 4 2.10 pm Skybet.com EBF Fillies' Stakes - Handicap 71-90 3+f&m £15,000 One & a quarter miles

Channel 4 2.40 pm Sky Bet Press Red to Bet on Channel Four Stakes - Handicap 61-80 3+ £12,500 Two & a quarter miles

Channel 4 3.15 pm Sky Bet Dash - Heritage Handicap 0-105 3+ £50,000 Six furlongs

Channel 4 3.50 pm Sky Bet York Stakes - Group 2 3+ £100,000 One & a quarter miles

Racing UK 4.25 pm Sky Bet Maiden Auction Stakes 2 £10,100 Six furlongs

Racing UK 5.00 pm Skybet.com Claiming Stakes 3+ £10,000 Seven furlongs

Racing UK 5.35 pm Fulford Golf Club Centenary Stakes - Handicap 61-80 4+ £12,500 One & a half miles

MUSIC EVENTS:
Thursday - 'The Cavern Beatles'
Saturday - 'Killer Queen'

On both evenings the music will commence shortly after racing and last for approximately 90 minutes.

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

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