LISTED RACES AT SALISBURY RACECOURSE'S NEXT TWO FIXTURES
Eddie Jock, the impressive winner of the Shergar Cup Juvenile at Ascot on his latest start, steps up to a mile and Listed company for the first time in the £25,000 Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury this Friday, August 25.
The Michael-Bell-trained gelding, who will be partnered by champion jockey Jamie Spencer, has progressed with each of his six outings this term, winning nurseries at Brighton and Newmarket, and finishing runner-up under top-weight in a seven-furlong nursery at Glorious Goodwood, before spread-eagling his rivals when recording a four-length success over Doctor Brown in the Ascot contest on August 12.
That win came over seven furlongs on good to firm going, but Bell has no concerns about the Almutawakel juvenile handling the extra furlong or the step up in class, although he is hoping for as little rain as possible.
The Newmarket handler reported today: "He's declared and ready to go. It looks a suitable race for him - he's rated 105 so he's out of nurseries now. He get's in without a penalty so it's a logical next stepping-stone, and, the way he won last time, the mile should suit him.
"He handled softish ground at Ayr earlier in the year but he wouldn't want it bottomless as he's a good-actioned horse."
Eddie Jock could bid to emulate 2004 Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes victor, Perfectperformance, who went on to Group Two success in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot later that season.
Bell revealed: "Depending on what happens at Salisbury, he'll go for either the Group Three Prix des Chenes at Longchamp, or he could be supplemented for the Royal Lodge. Being a gelding, there aren't that many options for him."
The Weathebys Bank Stonehenge Stakes has attracted a six-strong entry, which also includes the Mark Johnston-trained Champery, unbeaten in two starts, as well as the Andrew Balding-trained Streets Ahead, winner of the Stella Artois Maiden Auction Stakes over seven furlongs at the course on August 17, who will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.
La Roca, a Windsor maiden winner over six furlongs for trainer Ralph Beckett, makes her first start since finishing ninth of 18 behind Sander Camillo in the Group Three Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, while Johannesburg Jack and Easy Lover complete the line-up.
The Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes is the feature race of the Wiltshire course's entertaining seven-race card, which has attracted a bumper 84 entries, and kicks off the Bank Holiday weekend at 4.50pm with the seven-furlong Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap and concludes with the 7.50pm Salisbury Printing Ltd Handicap over a mile and a half.
Child-care facilities are provided and a creche, clowns and a bouncy castle offer a fun diversion for youngsters, while a big screen will enhance th experience for spectators.
Salisbury Clerk of the Course, Jeremy Martin, reported this morning: "The going is currently good and good to firm on the loop, but rain is forecast.
"The Weatherbys Bank Stonehenge Stakes looks a decent race."
Salisbury's final evening fixture of the 2006 season is followed by a superb afternoon of racing on Thursday, August 31, which features the £30,000 Listed EBF Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes.
The six-furlong contest, now in its fourth year as a Listed race, was won last season by the Ed Dunlop-trained Nidhaal and has produced a host of classy fillies.
The outstanding winner of recent times was the 1999 heroine, Crimplene. Trained by Clive Brittain, she won the following season's German and Irish 1,000 Guineas, and added the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and Goodwood's Nassau Stakes.
The Peter Makin-trained Imperial Beauty took the prize in 1998 and was another filly who went on to Group One glory, with a victory on her final start in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in 2001.
Suez took the race for trainer Michael Jarvis in 2004 prior to running second in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes, while the runner-up that day, Castelletto, went on to land the Group Three Cornwallis Stakes, and fourth-placed Satin Kiss secured victory in the 2005 UAE 1000 Guineas and UAE Oaks at Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.
Nyramba took the first Listed renewal of the race in 2003 before winning the Watership Down Stud Sales race at Ascot, while 2002 winner, Tashawak, landed the following season's Group Two Falmouth Stakes.
The Thursday, August 31, fixture also features the £25,000 EBF Lochsong Fillies' Handicap over seven furlongs, which is named after the brilliant champion sprinter, and was won in 2005 by Tahrir, who defeated subsequent Listed race winner, Clinet, by a neck.
The quality seven-race card also includes the 14-furlong Think Thoroughbred Think Ireland Persian Punch' Conditions Stakes, which carries prize-money of £18,000 and often attracts high-class stayers, and was won by Persian Punch himself in 2002. The crowd favourite won by a short-head in a thrilling three-way tussle with multiple Group One winner Warrsan and Harlestone Grey.
The following season saw subsequent Group Two Goodwood Cup winner Distinction take the race, while this season's Group Two Henry II Stakes victor, Tungsten Strike, was successful in the Salisbury contest in 2005, and racegoers can look forward to another chance to see some of their favourite stayers in action.
Admission prices on Friday, August 25, and Thursday, August 31, are Members' Enclosure £18, Tattersalls Enclosure £11 And Course Enclosure £6. Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free and all car parking is free.
JEREMY RECEIVES FIRST PRIZE IN BEST TURNED OUT HACK COMPETITION AT NEWMARKET
Vince Smith's hack Jeremy was named as the Best Turned out Hack on Saturday, August 19, as part of the Newmarket Experience Race Day at the July Course. Jeremy won £500 for his lass, Nicola Gibson.
Eleven trainers were invited to bring their hacks to Newmarket's July Course for the competition. Each entry received £50 for their lad / lass, with the winner receiving a further £500. Judged by Bob Champion, Jimmy Fortune and Eddie Ahern, it was certainly a tough competition to decide on just one winner. Paul Howling's GameTufty was named in third place and William Haggas's hack, Sailor Jim, was named in second place.
The full list of entries:
Adalar - Paul D'Arcy Led up by Paul's daughter, Rachel 'Alfie' as he is known in the yard, won as a two year old and is a great favourite with everyone. He loves polos and carrots and smiles when he gets his treats.
Derwin Lad - Godolphin. A handsome Dun gelding, affectionately known as Duncan.
Desiree - John Berry Desiree has adapted very well to life as a hack, she may return to the racetrack next year in Newmarket's 338th Town Plate.
Game Tufty - Paul Howling. A previous winner of the competition in 2004.
Herr Trigger - Dr Jon Scargill A horse once ridden by leading jockeys Lester Piggott, Jamie Spencer and Ray Cochrane.
Invermark - James Fanshawe Invermark has won and been placed in several Group races but has now settled down to life as a hack.
Jeremy - Vince Smith. Jeremy currently does sowing, hunting and dressage. He is a super nursemaid for road work and is excellent at looking after the yearlings.
Kribensis - Sir Michael Stoute. Kribensis loves to visit the tack room for seaside rock. He still enjoys overseeing morning exercise amd causing havoc in it. Kribenisis is looked upon as the yard's mascot.
Sailor Jim - William Haggas Affectionately known as Jim, this hack does not like to stand still, except when eating grass is involved.
Te Quiero - Miss Gay Kelleway Te Quiero was once a prolific winner on the all weather track. He is a handsome grey, regularly winning best turned out competitions.
Travado - Ed Dunlop. Previously trained by Nicky Henderson, Travado was the winner of 12 races between 1991 and 1996, including the 1993 Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham Festival.
The competition is part of a series of events held on the Newmarket Experience Race Day each year at Newmarket's July Course. The Newmarket Experience represents the major tourist attractions in Newmarket and offers a 'one stop shop' for visitors to the area. As well as the hack competition on Saturday, there were exhibitions from the National Horseracing Museum and the National Stud, a range of children's activities and a demonstration on the horse simulator by jockey Matthew Henry, which members of the public were also invited to have a go on.
The Newmarket Experience Race Day is also home to The skybet.com Grey Horse Handicap, the only horse race in Europe just for greys. This year's winner was Clearing Sky trained by Jim Boyle and ridden by Mathew Henry.
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
Archive
