SCORPION AND HARD TOP GO FORWARD FOR LADBROKES ST LEGER
Aidan O'Brien's runaway Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Scorpion is Evens favourite with the sponsor for the £450,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes St Leger following today's forfeit stage.
The Montjeu colt, who previously finished second to Hurricane Run in the Budweiser Irish Derby, is set for an intriguing clash in the final classic - run at Doncaster on Saturday, September 10 - with the lightly-raced Hard Top, winner of York's Great Voltigeur Stakes on August 16.
The Ballymacoll Stud-owned colt will try to deliver trainer Sir Michael Stoute a victory in one of the few major races still to elude him.
The Geezer, who finished second to Hard Top at York, along with the Great Voltigeur third and fourth, Avalon and Kong, are others remaining in the Ladbrokes St Leger while the John Oxx-trained Shalapour could bid to give his owner the Aga Khan a first victory in the world's oldest classic.
Kong's trainer John Dunlop looks to have a powerful hand that also includes the rapidly-improving York handicap winner Tawqeet and Unfurled, who most recently finished second in the Group 3 ABN Amro Stakes at Goodwood.
Chester Vase winner Hattan, who finished sixth in the Vodafone Derby, could represent trainer Clive Brittain, while Mr Vegas, a facile winner of the Listed Bahrain Stakes at Newmarket's July Meeting, is another engaged.
There is a £25,000 supplementary entry stage for the Ladbrokes St Leger on September 5 and among those who could be added to the field is Godolphin's Centaurus, 15-length winner of a Newmarket conditions event this month and a likely starter in the Listed March Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.
Steven Clarke, General Manager at Doncaster Racecourse, said today: "A fascinating Ladbrokes St Leger is in prospect with Scorpion, already an impressive Group 1 winner, set to be taken on by a whole host of improving types.
"There is just a fortnight to go until the St Leger Festival begins and we have had excellent advanced ticket sales while the course is in terrific shape ahead of what should be a fantastic week's racing."
Balthazar Fabricius, spokesman for Ladbrokes, added: "Scorpion looks to be very special but, having hit the crossbar when Quiff finished second last year, Sir Michael Stoute appears to have an excellent chance of winning an elusive first Ladbrokes St Leger with Hard Top, who has been backed into 4/1 from 14/1 with us."
Ladbrokes' latest betting is:
Evens Scorpion, 4 Hard Top, 6 (from 8) Avalon, 8 Shalapour, 8 The Geezer, 16 Tawqeet, 25 Kong, 25 Unfurled, 33 Mr Vegas, 50 Hattan
THE LADBROKES ST LEGER
Class 1, Group One, Total Prize fund £450,000. Doncaster, Saturday, September 10, 2005, 1m 6f 132yds. For three-year-olds only, entire colts and fillies. Weights: colts 9st; fillies 8st 11lb. Entries closed Wednesday, July 6, entries revealed Tuesday, July 12 (39 entries). Forfeit stage Tuesday, August 23 (10 remain), £25,000 supplementary entry stage Monday, September 5. Five-day confirmation stage Monday, September 5. Final 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am, Thursday, September 8. Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and include the racing of Monday, August 22, 2005. May not include some overseas form.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
13 AVALON 3 Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
5-11 HARD TOP (IRE) 3 Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute
603165 HATTAN (IRE) 3 Saeed Manana Clive Brittain
43-2104 KONG (IRE) 3 Neil Jones John Dunlop
0321210 MR VEGAS (IRE) 3 Vincenzo Covone Peter Chapple-Hyam
12021 SCORPION (IRE) 3 Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
21132 SHALAPOUR (IRE) 3 HH Aga Khan John Oxx IRE
01-41531 TAWQEET (USA) 3 Hamdan Al Maktoum John Dunlop
11203112 THE GEEZER 3 Jeff Smith David Elsworth
62-1102 UNFURLED (IRE) 3 Heather Slade John Dunlop
10 entries remain after August 23 forfeit stage
3 Irish-trained
£4.7 MILLION BOOST FOR AINTREE RACECOURSE AND EQUESTRIAN CENTRE
A major scheme that is set to transform Aintree Racecourse was today strengthened by the announcement of a £4.7 million contribution from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
The £35 million scheme, which culminates in an equestrian centre of international standards, a parade ring and two new grandstands, is the first major redevelopment of the course for over 100 years.
The development of Aintree International Equestrian Centre will provide a unique facility, combining a subsidised riding school for local communities with an international standard show centre that is expected to attract major equestrian competitions and events.
The parade ring, Winner's and Unsaddling Enclosure, will be relocated to ensure the theatrical part of race day activity enjoys a more central location and will include a new Weighing Room and Stable complex.
The two new permanent grandstands will replace and enhance the temporary facilities currently used during the John Smith's Grand National - one of the regions major tourist attractions.
Overall, the improved facilities and new equestrian centre are expected to attract an additional 11,200 visitors to the region every year contributing to an increase of £1.2 million in annual tourist spend, which will provide a significant boost to the tourism industry.
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said:
"Aintree Racecourse is one of the Northwest's major tourism assets, attracting 200,000 visitors to the region every year. The new facilities will significantly improve the race goers' experience, enhancing the existing tourism offer. The new international equestrian centre is particularly exciting, as no other such venue exists in the North of England. This new facility is set to attract international events and will make a significant contribution to the regional economy."
Charles Barnett, Aintree Racecourse Managing Director, said:
"The John Smith's Grand National is broadcast to over 600 million people worldwide and is an ideal platform on which to showcase Aintree and England's Northwest to the rest of the world. We believe this new development will provide some of the best racecourse facilities in the world, encompassing the fantastic opportunities that lie ahead for the Northwest region. In addition to the new Grandstand and Weighing Room Complex, the unique equestrian centre will provide a platform for Aintree to develop other world-class equestrian events."
FREE FRIDAY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AT NEWMARKET RACECOURSES
This Friday (August 26) senior citizens (those of state pensionable age) will be admitted to the July Course, Newmarket free of charge by showing proof of age. Racing commences at 2.15pm with gates opening two and a half hours before. The Paddock Marquee, which is located next to the Parade Ring, will be open to the public throughout the day.
Gaynor Haxby, Marketing Manager at Newmarket Racecourses said, 'This Friday provides the perfect excuse to extend your bank holiday weekend with a summer's afternoon at the races and if it's your first time why not book up for one of our FREE Introduction to Racing Tours. Call the Box Office to book a free tour or ask at the Course Office on arrival. "
Tickets range from £5-£18. For more information and to book on-line visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01638 675 500 where the staff will be happy to help with all enquiries.
EX TRAINER WONG APPOINTED PRESIDENT OF HONG KONG BREEDERS' CLUB
Former top Hong Kong trainer Wong Tang Ping has been appointed President of the Hong Kong Breeders Club. Mr Wong was associated with legendary racing heroes such as Co-Tack and Best Of The Best. He trained New Trumps (winner of six races and over HK$6.7 million in prize money), who finished a courageous fourth behind Sunline and Fairy King Prawn in the 2000 Hong Kong Mile and is now at stud in Hanui Farm, New Zealand.
Wong said today: "It is my pleasure to take up the position as President of the Hong Kong Breeders Club. I have been excited in recent years to see Hong Kong owners starting to share interests in thoroughbred breeding. I admire the concept of the (Hong Kong Breeders) Club and think that in years to come, more and more Hong Kong owners will become thoroughbred breeders. It is our long term goal to assist them in making thoroughbred breeding a profitable and enjoyable investment. I am looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge in this area with our members and to help the Club prosper."
The Hong Kong Breeders Club is the first organization dedicated to promoting thoroughbred breeding in Hong Kong. Its objective is to become the best entry point for those who want to experience thoroughbred breeding as a new lifestyle. In addition to high quality mares, stallions, discounted keep and stallion service fees, the Club focuses on integrating horsemanship with stylish farm houses, golfing and fishing trips in some of the most beautiful locations worldwide. At the moment, the Club has interests in over 50 classy broodmares, two Group-placed colts, and over 10 yearlings nominated for major yearlings sales in 2006.
The Hong Kong Breeders Club Foundation, a non-profit making organization, has been set up to support both stem cell and equine rehabilitation research. The Foundation will be presenting 10 equestrian scholarships to young riders in Hong Kong and China. The board has pledged to contribute from 5 per cent of prize money won by all of our horses to the Foundation and 2.5 per cent of proceeds generated by all yearlings and weanlings sold at public auction.
The Hong Kong Breeders Club is set to be launched on September 6.
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