Tuesday, July 17, 2007

FOUR CLASSIC WINNERS AMONG 26-STRONG BLUE SQUARE NASSAU STAKES ENTRY

PAM SLY WANTS SPECIOSA TO RUN

SPONSOR ISSUES PRICES

With four Classic winners and seven Group One heroines among the top-class entry, another vintage race appears certain, particularly as the contest could host the eagerly anticipated round three of Light Shift (7/2 with Blue Square) versus Peeping Fawn (5/2).

Light Shift, trained by Henry Cecil, scored an emotionally-charged half-length victory over Peeping Fawn in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom Downs in June, but the tables were turned on July 15, when the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly took the Darley Irish Oaks by three and a half lengths from her Epsom conqueror.

The last two winners of the Newmarkert Classic, the1,000 Guineas, are engaged as Pam Sly has entered her 2006 heroine Speciosa (10/1|), while Jim Bolger may run the brilliant Finsceal Beo (not quoted), last season’s champion two-year-old filly, who added the Irish 1,000 Guineas to her Rowley Mile success.

Sly is keen to run Speciosa in the Goodwood feature following the filly's gallant effort when second to Peeping Fawn in the 10-furlong Group One Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh in Ireland on June 30.

The Cambridgeshire trainer revealed this morning: “We are meeting today to decide whether she goes for the Blue Square Nassau Stakes or the Prix d'Astarte but the Nassau is more of a prestigious race and I think the mile and a quarter would suit her rather than the mile at Deauville.

“She ran very well over 10 furlongs last time so, at the moment, the preferred target is the Blue Square Nassau Stakes.

“The Curragh form is working out and Peeping Fawn had quite a hard race there. I’m happy with the way season is going and at present I'm leaning towards the Blue Square Nassau Stakes.”

Speciosa was forced to miss the UAE Hyrda Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket's July Festival after she came into season and Sly is hoping to avoid that scenario at Goodwood.

She said: “Hopefully, Speciosa won’t come into season at Goodwood and we’re trying to organise that this morning. She missed the Falmouth Stakes because of it and she’s no good when she’s like that as she showed in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes.

“It's just unfortunate that mares come into season and you have to miss races. We do try to organise these things but nature does take its course sometimes.

“They’re talking about rain showers until the end of the month and she’s happy in herself and full of it but even so, she's going to struggle to win this year as she has to give 9lb to the three-year-olds. It was 12lb in Ireland the other day but it’s still a lot of weight, so we’ll just have to see how we go.”

A total of 19 three-year-olds are entered including the Jeremy Noseda-trained Simply Perfect (not quoted), who gained a deserved second Group One win in the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes over a mile at Newmarket on July 11.

Silkwood (7/1), trained by Michael Jarvis for Sheikh Mohammed, is a filly of huge promise judged on her five-length defeat of English and Irish Oaks third All My Loving in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stake over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot in June. Jarvis also has Yaqeen (25/1) entered.

Alongside Speciosa, the older generation is represented by triple Group One winner Mandesha (5/2), trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre in France, who was runner-up to Mountain High on her sole start this term in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on June 24.

The John Gosden-trained Nannina (6/1) has two Group One wins to her name. The Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly’s latest success came in the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile in June when she scored an emphatic victory.

Cheveley Park Stud could also be represented by multiple Group Three winner Echelon (16/1).

The Mick Channon-trained Flashy Wings (25/1) was a high-class juvenile in 2005 and has been Group One placed on three occasions, while her stablemate, Sweet Lilly (66/1), who also runs in the colours of Jaber Abdullah, was runner-up to Passage of Time over the distance in the Group Two Musidora Stakes at York in May.

The nine-strong Irish-trained entry includes Irish 1,000 Guineas fourth and Group Three winner Alexander Tango (20/1), trained by Tommy Stack, as well as Aqraan (66/1) from Kevin Prendergast’s yard, while John Oxx has engaged Group Three Blue Wind Stakes winner and Vodafone Oaks fourth Four Sins (20/1).

Peeping Fawn is joined by a trio of Ballydoyle stablemates consisting of Cherry Hinton (40/1), Diamond Necklace (66/1) and Uimhir A Haon (66/1), while Dermot Weld has entered Darley Irish Oaks fifth Profound Beauty (33/1).

The German raider Sexy Lady (100/1), trained by Peter Rau, was awarded the Group Three Prix Chloe last season on the disqualification of Mandesha.

Barshiba (40/1) won the Listed Sandringham Handicap over a mile at Royal Ascot for trainer David Elsworth, while the Clive Brittain-trained Darrfonah (40/1), runner-up to Finsceal Beo in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac Royal Barriere de Deauville last season, won a Listed contest over the distance at Newbury on June 14.

The entry is completed by Group Three-placed Don’t Dili Dali (100/1), Cumin (66/1), Marzelline (66/1) and Shirley A Star (100/1), who won a Newbury maiden on June 14.

The £200,000 Group One Blue Square Nassau Stakes is always a fantastic spectacle and is invariably won by a filly or mare of the highest class.

Last year’s winner Ouija Board was one of the most highly-decorated race mares of recent times and retired with seven Group One wins to her name, while Alexander Goldrun, runner-up last term and successful in 2005 won five races in the top grade.

Sir Michael Stoute collected a hat-trick of Blue Square Nassau Stakes victories (2002-2004) with Islington, Russian Rhythm and Favourable Terms, while Lailani took theprize for Ed Dunlop in 2001.

Crimplene’s success in 2000 followed victories in the German 1,000 Guineas, Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes, while Zahrat Dubai took the first Blue Square Nassau Stakes to be staged as a Group One event in 1999.

BLUE SQUARE OPENING PRICES
Peeping Fawn 5/2, Mandesha 5/2, Light Shift 7/2, Nannina 6/1, Silkwood 7/1, Speciosa 10/1, Echelon 16/1, Four Sins 20/1, Alexander Tango 20/1, Flashy Wings 25/1, Yaqeen 25/1, Profound Beauty 33/1, Barshiba 40/1, Cherry Hinton 40/1, Darrfonah 40/1, Cumin 66/1, Diamond Necklace 66/1, Marzelline 66/1, Sweet Lily 66/1, Uimhir A Haon 66/1, Aqraan 66/1, Shirley A Star 100/1, Sexy Lady 100/1, Don't Dilly Dally100/1
(Finsceal Beo and Simply Perfect not quoted).

BLUE SQUARE NASSAU STAKES

SAKHEE’S SECRET TOPS CLASSY 54-STRONG ENTRY FOR BETFRED SPRINT CUP

CHAPPLE-HYAM SAYS DUTCH ART HEADING FOR HAYDOCK

The Group One prize is one of the most valuable sprints in the European racing calendar and often decides the season’s champion sprinter.

Unbeaten in four races this year, Hughie Morrison’s charge - installed the 5/2 favourite by the sponsors to add Betfred Sprint Cup glory to his CV - is undoubtedly the most exciting sprinter in training, having taken the step up to Group One class at Newmarket last week in his stride with a half length defeat of Dutch Art.

The runner-up, making his first start against the older horses, was following up excellent efforts over a mile in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but looks set to stick to shorter trips for the time-being according to his in-form handler. Betfred make Dutch Art the 11/2 second-favourite to gain revenge on his Newmarket conqueror at Haydock.

“The Betfred Sprint Cup is definitely on the agenda for Dutch Art. He’ll go to France first for the Prix Maurice de Gheest [Deauville, August 5], and then the plan is Haydock,” revealed Peter Chapple-Hyam today.

“I was delighted with his effort at Newmarket - the winner is obviously a very good horse. I was expecting a big run from my fellow. He’s come out of the race a bit stiff but that’s normal for him - otherwise he’s perfectly fine.

“He was running on well towards the finish and I still think he’ll get further, but he’s good from six furlongs up to a mile. Most very good horses are versatile and I think he is equally effective at both trips. The ground also doesn’t bother him as he’s won on soft and quick ground.

“I will be happy to take on Sakhee’s Secret again. I suppose you would have to say that the horse that beat us should do so again, but there’s no point going there thinking you’re going to get beaten. With a bit of luck we’ll be there or thereabouts. Al Qasi and Tariq are also entered in the Betfred Sprint Cup but they are not certain runners.”

A host of Betfred Sprint Cup entries finished behind Sakhee’s Secret and Dutch Art in the Darley July Cup, including the Barry Hills-trained Red Clubs (16/1), who ran a fine race in third, French challenger Marchand D’Or (16/1), close up in fourth, the Tracey Collins-trained Dandy Man (20/1 ) in fifth and Asset (10/1), trained by Richard Hannon, in sixth.

The 2006 Betfred Sprint Cup hero Reverence (13/2) proved equally effective at five furlongs, landing the Nunthorpe Stakes at York and finishing runner-up in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp last term. Eric Alston’s stable star ran well when fifth behind Hoh Mike (33/1) on his comeback in the Group Three Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes at Sandown on July 7.

Soldier’s Tale (7/1) has not enjoyed much luck with injuries in recent seasons, but the lightly-raced six-year-old confirmed trainer Jeremy Noseda’s high opinion of him with a dramatic last-gasp success over tough Australian sprinter Takeover Target in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 23.

Ex-Australian runner Mutawaajid (20/1), now in the care of Mick Channon, made an encouraging British debut in the Darley July Cup, finishing ninth, three places ahead of Amadeus Wolf (12/1), third to Reverence in the 2006 Betfred Sprint Cup and successful in the Group Two Duke Of York Stakes at York on May 16.

The mercurial but brilliant George Washington (9/1) has not run over six furlongs since storming home by eight lengths in the Group One Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh as a two-year-old.

Last year’s 2000 Guineas and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victor has run very well in two runs this term having been sent back into training after a short spell at stud, following a close fourth in the mile Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot with an excellent third behind Notnowcato and Derby winner Authorized in the Coral Eclipse over 10 furlongs at Sandown on July 7.

His handler, Aidan O’Brien, has a total of five entries to choose from, including Excellent Art (12/1), who had stable companion Astronomer Royal (33/1), successful in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp in May, back in third when taking the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19. Theann (33/1), who took York’s Group Three Summer Stakes in good style last week, is another O’Brien possible.

New Girlfriend (66/1), representing Chantilly-based handler Robert Collet, finished a running on fourth to Beauty Is Truth in the Group Two Prix du Gros-Chene over five furlongs at Chantilly on June 3. German contender Electric Beat (66/1), trained by Andreas Lowe, captured a Group Three prize at Hamburg in July, but could only run 14th to Sakhee’s Secret in the Darley July Cup.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Jeremy (20/1), successful in the Group Two Betfred Mile at Sandown on April 28, looked to have the Queen Anne Stakes at his mercy last time at Royal Ascot on June 19, only to hang badly right close home, allowing Ramonti to come and mug him on the line.

Australian raider Magnus (14/1), in the care of Peter Moody, is a Group One winner in his homeland and finished a fine third behind compatriot Miss Andretti in the Group Two King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19, although he ran below par four days later when unplaced in the Group One Golden Jubilee Stakes. His compatriot, Bentley Biscuit, could be supplemented for the race if staying in Europe.

A fascinating contender is the Kevin Prendergast-trained Haatef (16/1). An excellent fourth to Teofilo and Holy Roman Emperor in the Group One Dewhurst Stakes on his final juvenile outing, the son of Danzig could only manage 10th behind Cockney Rebel in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 5, but cruised home by five lengths in a seven-furlong event at Naas on June 27.

Fellow Irish entry Confuchias (33/1), trained by Francis Ennis, caused something of a surprise when landing the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on June 30, handling the heavy ground well.

Somnus (25/1) captured the 2003 Betfred Sprint Cup for the Tim Easterby stable but has been restricted to only one outing so far this campaign. The Mark Wallace-trained Benbaun (16/1) is a high-class sprinter at his best although he has yet to score at the top level.

There is a supplementary stage for the Betfred Sprint Cup on Monday, September 3 (noon), costing £17,500.

Dickon White, Managing Director of Haydock Park, said: “The Betfred Sprint Cup is one of the most prestigious and valuable sprints in Europe and we are delighted to have received such a high-class international entry.

“Reverence confirmed himself a sprinter of the highest order last year and it would be wonderful to watch him defend his title against up-and-coming speedsters like Sakhee’s Secret and Dutch Art at Haydock Park on September 8.”

Opening Betfred prices:

5/2 Sakhee’s Secret, 11/2 Dutch Art, 13/2 Reverence, 7/1 Soldier’s Tale, 9/1 George Washington, 10/1 Asset, 12/1 Amadeus Wolf, Excellent Art, 14/1 Magnus, 16/1 Benbaun, Bygone Days, Haatef, Marchand D’Or, Red Clubs, 20/1 Al Qasi, Dandy Man, Jeremy, Mutawaajid, Tariq, Wi Dud, 25/1 Hellvelyn, Somnus, 33/1 Astronomer Royal, Balthazaar’s Gift, Captain Marvelous, Confuchias, Fonthill Road, Hoh Mike, Moss Vale, Opera Cape, Prime Defender, Rahiyah, Silver Touch, Theann, 40/1 Advanced, Miss Beatrix, Sierra Vista, Sonny Red, Utmost Respect, 50/1 Baltic King, Firenze, Misu Bond, Steenberg, Welsh Emperor, 66/1 Electric Beat, Fayr Jag, Intrepid Jack, Marozi, Munaddam, New Girlfriend, Rising Shadow, Sander Camillo, Scarlet Runner

BETFRED SPRINT CUP

FEILDEN EYES BETFAIR MOLECOMB STAKES FOR SPIRIT OF SHARJAH
*A FEAST OF TWO-YEAR-OLD ACTION AT GLORIOUS GOODWOOD*

The Julia Feilden-trained two-year-old is dropping back to the minimum trip after finishing eighth to Norfolk Stakes victor Winker Watson in the six-furlong Group Two TNT July Stakes at Newmarket on July 12.

The trainer is hopeful that the shorter trip and a change of tactics can see the speedy son of Invincible Spirit return to the excellent form that saw him finish in the frame at Royal Ascot against some of the fastest juvenile colts in Europe, and win at Goodwood earlier in the season.

Feilden, who is based at Exning near Newmarket, revealed: “We’re hoping to go to Goodwood for the Betfair Molecomb Stakes. He has come out of the Newmarket race really well. It was just unfortunate the way the race was run and we’re not sure that he got six furlongs, so we’ll drop him back to five.

“He shouldn’t have seen as much daylight as he did in the TNT July Stakes. In all his other races, he has been covered up and he settles really well when he has cover. Of course, when he saw daylight, he ran too free and then he was never going to get home.

“It’s difficult to know whether he didn’t get the trip because of the way he was ridden or through lack of stamina, so we’ll go back to five furlongs for now because we know he likes Goodwood and he has won there.”

Spirit Of Sharjah, who was a length and a quarter third to Winker Watson in the five-furlong Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 21, followed a debut victory at Newmarket in April with an impressive two and a half length success from Baytown Breeze in Goodwood’s Listed five-furlong Turf TV Aubigny Stakes on May 10.

Feilden reported: “He wouldn’t want the ground any softer than good. It actually rained quite a bit at Goodwood the day he won there and we were a bit worried. The ground was good but it was probably a little bit soft for him even though he still won nicely.

“He seems really well so there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go to Goodwood again and we are hopeful of a big run in the Betfair Molecomb. We just have to forget about Newmarket and put it behind us.

“He’s an exciting horse to have in the yard. He has speed to burn but at the same time he’s a very relaxed horse at home. He’s not one of these tearaways. He’s switched off and is a lovely horse to train.”

Regarding riding arrangements, Feilden added: “We’ll use the best available jockey and hope to get someone who has ridden him before.”

The Betfair Molecomb Stakes is always an exciting spectacle of speed and is one of the highlights of the summer for sprinting two-year-olds.

The race was won in thrilling style last season by the very fast filly Enticing, trained by William Haggas, who got the better of Wi Dud by the narrowest margin following a breathtaking head to head duel through the final furlong. Enticing subsequently smashed Bath’s five-furlong course record by over a second and Wi Dud won the Group Two Flying Childers at York.

The 1996 renewal went to the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Carmine Lake, who progressed to capture the 1997 Group One Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp, while another top filly, Risky, added the prize to her Queen Mary Stakes win in 1993 and the speedy Majestic Missile took the honours in 2003.

The Group Three Betfair Molecomb Stakes is one of three two-year-old Pattern races staged at the five-day Glorious Goodwood Festival, which runs from Tuesday, July 31, to Saturday, August 4. The others are the £70,000 Group Two Veuve Clicqout Vintage Stakes over seven furlongs (Wednesday, August 1) and the £70,000 Group Two Richmond Stakes over six furlongs (Friday, August 3).

This trio of major juvenile events spearheads a strong two-year-old programme at Glorious Goodwood, which stages a total of nine races for youngsters over the five days.

The six-furlong £15,000 Tatler Summer Season EBF Maiden Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings supports the Betfair Molecomb Stakes on the opening day, Tuesday, July 31, while on day two, juvenile fillies line up over the same distance for the £16,000 Links Of London Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Thursday, August 2, sees the £16,000 EBF New Ham Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over seven furlongs , which was won last season by the Barry Hills-trained Cumin, who went on to take third in the Group Three Normandie Stud Prestige Stakes back at Goodwood in August.

The David Elsworth-trained Just Dust defeated subsequent Shergar Cup Juvenile and Britannia Handicap winner Eddie Jock in the 2006 renewal of the £20,000 Royal & SunAlliance Nursery Handicap, run over seven furlongs, which takes place on Friday, August 3.

Saturday, August 4, hosts a brace of two-year-old races on the supporting card for the £100,000 Bluesquare.com Stewards’ Cup and Group One Blue Square Nassau Stakes. They are the £16,000 Blue Square Telebet EBF Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs for colts and geldings and the £18,000 Bluesquarepoker.com Nursery Handicap over six furlongs.

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