Wednesday, September 12, 2001

LADBROKES PRICES FOR DONCASTER TOMORROW

THE 225th ROTHMANS
ROYALS ST LEGER
FIVE DAYS

Form Horse Owner Trainer
11 ALEXIUS (IRE) Sheikh Mohammed Sir Michael Stoute
221 ALUNISSAGE (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor
1511 AND BEYOND (IRE) Maktoum Al Maktoum Mark Johnston
1-039323 DEMOPHILOS Athos Christodoulou Amanda Perrett
4 LIFE MATCH (FR) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-0261 MEDITERRANEAN Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
1-23541 MILAN Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier Aidan O'Brien IRE
02-21461 MR COMBUSTIBLE (IRE) Dick Bonnycastle Barry Hills
12142 PUGIN (IRE) Lady Clague John Oxx IRE
3100 SADDLER'S CREEK (USA) Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor Aidan O'Brien IRE
131-344011 VINNIE ROE (IRE) Seamus Sheridan Dermot Weld IRE
636-32321055 WHEN IN ROME Mrs E A Cyzer Charles Cyzer

12 five-day entries
6 Irish-trained

ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER TRIALS

RECORD OF TRAINERS (SINCE 1980) OF 2001 ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER STAKES ENTRIES

RECORD OF CURRENT JOCKEYS (SINCE 1980) IN THE ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER STAKES

THE 2001 ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER FESTIVAL RACE PROGRAMME

1.30 The McKeever St Lawrence Conditions Stakes £10,000 added
2-y-o only, 7f.
2.05 The EBF Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Stakes (Handicap) £30,000 added
2-y-o fillies only, 6f 110yds.
2.35 The Tote Trifecta Portland (Showcase Handicap) £40,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-110, 5f 140 yds
3.10 The £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes £200,000 guaranteed
2-y-o only, 6f
3.40 The Rothmans Royals Park Hill Stakes (Group 3) £40,000 total prize fund
3-y-o+ fillies and mares, 1m 6f 132 yds
4.10 The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Maiden Stakes £10,000 added
2-y-o only, 1m.
4.40 The Queen’s Own Yorkshire Dragoons Classified Stakes £10,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-85, 1m 2f 60yds.

Thursday, September 13, 2001 - GNER Doncaster Cup Day (Ladies’ Day).

1.30 The Ralph Raper Memorial Prince of Wales Cup (Showcase Nursery Handicap) £25,000 added
2-y-o only, 1m.
2.05 The GNER White Rose Park Stakes (Group 3) £40,000 total prize fund
3-y-o+, 1m.
2.35 The Rothmans Royals May Hill Stakes (Group 3) £40,000 total prize fund
2-y-o fillies only, 1m.
3.10 The GNER Doncaster Cup (Group 3) £50,000 total prize fund
3-y-o+, 2m 2f.
3.40 The betabet Sceptre Stakes (Showcase Race) (Listed) £25,000 added
3-y-o+, fillies and mares only, 7f.
4.10 The Kyoto Scarborough Stakes (Listed) £25,000 added
2-y-o+, 5f.

4.40 The Doncaster Free Press Ladies Day Handicap Stakes £10,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-90, 7f.

Friday, September 14, 2001 - In aid of the Coal Trades Benevolent Association.

1.30 The DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes £40,000 guaranteed
2-y-o only, 6f.

2.05 The Joy UK Conditions Guaranteed Sweepstakes £20,000 guaranteed
3-y-o, 4-y-o and 5-y-o, 1m 2f 60yds
2.35 The Tote Exacta Mallard Stakes (Showcase Handicap) £30,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-105, 1m 6f 132yds
3.05 Rothmans Royals Champagne Stakes (Group 2) £100,000 total prize fund
2-y-o, colts and geldings only, 7f.
3.40 The Amco Corporation Troy Stakes (Listed) £25,000 added
3-y-o+, 1m 4f.
4.10 The CPL Industries Challenge Trophy (Conditions Guaranteed £10,000 guaranteed
Sweepstakes) 3-y-o, 1m.
4.40 The Coalite Smokeless Fuels Handicap Guaranteed Sweepstakes £10,000 guaranteed
3-y-o+, rated 0-80, 5f.

Saturday, September 15, 2001 - Rothmans Royals St Leger Day.

2.00 The GNER Conditions Stakes £12,000 added
2-y-o only, 6f.
2.30 The Torne Valley Handicap Stakes £25,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-105, 1m 4f.
3.00 The Porcelanosa Rated Stakes (Handicap) £25,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-105, 1m.
3.35 THE ROTHMANS ROYALS ST LEGER STAKES (Group 1) (Showcase Race) £370,000 total prize fund
3-y-o, colts and fillies only, 1m 6f 132 yds.
4.15 The ladbrokes.co.uk Stakes (Handicap) £25,000 added
3-y-o+, rated 0-95, 1m 2f 60yds.
4.45 The Polypipe Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2) £50,000 total prize fund
2-y-o only, 5f.

5.20 The Battle Of Britain Nursery Handicap Stakes £10,000 added
2-y-o, rated 0-85, 6f.

Total added and guaranteed prize money - £1,307,000.

DONCASTER, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2001

CROWD AND TOTE UP

The Tote on-course cash pool turnover was also up, this time by 17%, at £166,659 as against £142,476 on the opening day last year.

DONCASTER PAYS RESPECT

A period of silence is to be observed before the first of four days of high-class racing, at around 1.20pm, and some jockeys may wear black armbands.

John Sanderson, Doncaster Racecourse’s Clerk of the Course, said racing would go ahead, despite the loss of some sporting fixtures.

Domestic football matches are proceeding as normal, but today’s games in the European Champions League have been postponed, as have tomorrow’s UEFA Cup games, and some American golfers are having doubts about playing in the Ryder Cup at the Belfry later this month.

But Sanderson said: “It is not up to us to call off this race meeting. That would have to be a decision for the British Horseracing Board, and they have said nothing.

“We are shocked by events in America, and have enormous sympathy for the victims, but terrorists cannot be allowed to bring everything to a halt.”

Sanderson added: “I’ve taken one phone call from a group of people who were due to fly in from Ireland today. They cannot make it here, and apparently the situation at the airports is pretty grim. But to the best of my knowledge all the Irish horses due to run at the meeting are already here.”

The going at the course is officially “GOOD TO FIRM, GOOD IN PLACES”, and Sanderson said: “We had 10mm of rain last Wednesday into Thursday, but nothing since, although we are forecast to receive some later today.

“We took a conscious decision not to water and I’m quite happy with that. The ground will ride a bit quick today, but I don’t like watering too close to a meeting. With 119 runners today, and 121 tomorrow, the course will be taking a lot of work.

“This is the highlight of the racing year at Doncaster. We all work towards this point and we are delighted with the advance sales, and the public awareness, for the Rothmans Royals St Leger Festival.”

PUNTERS LATCH
ONTO MUNDI

Trained in Devon by Nerys Dutfield, Anima Mundi was third at Newmarket on her latest start and thought likely to be suited by the slight step up in trip in today’s European Breeders Fund Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery Stakes (2.05).

The Tote’s early 11-1 about Anima Mundi was swallowed up as they cut her to 7-1, while Ladbrokes reduced her odds to 8-1 from 10-1 and Paddy Power sliced a point off their 10-1 morning show.

Ladbrokes also reported interest in the race’s likely favourite, the Mick Channon-trained Aldafra, who they shortened from 7-2 to 3-1.

The day’s big betting heat, the Tote Trifecta Portland Handicap (2.35), had seen support for several runners. Jessica’s Dream, who was given a strong mention by leading tipster Pricewise in the Racing Post, was slashed to 11-2 from 9-1 by the Tote, which also cut the odds available on Ho Leng from 14-1 to 9-1.

Ladbrokes also reported support for the James Given-trained Jessica’s Dream, cutting the hat-trick-seeking filly to 7-1 from 8-1 while reducing the price about Ellens Lad to 6-1 from 7-1.

Ellens Lad was also the subject of support with Paddy Power - the Ireland-based bookies cut Willie Musson’s gelding into 13-2 from 8-1, and knocked two points off the price of Salviati in the same race, offering him as a 12-1 shot.

Power have announced they are suspending betting on the Breeders’ Cup, due to be held on October 27, in the wake of yesterday’s terrorist outrages in the United States.

JOCKEYS WEAR
BLACK ARMBANDS

The eight riders taking part in the McKeever St. Lawrence Conditions Stakes (1.30) were asked by Doncaster Racecourse to wear the armbands, and all agreed.

Jockeys riding in subsequent races have the option of whether to follow suit.

Despite the postponement of key European football matches, the sporting programme in Britain is currently going ahead as normal, and the highlight of Doncaster’s racing year has not been unduly affected by events in the United States.

HILLS STRIKE GOLD

The son of Danehill, trained by Barry Hills and ridden by his son Michael, came with a strong run alongside the stands’ side rail and easily beat off his seven rivals, who were all previous winners. Carrying the colours of Maktoum Al Maktoum, Hills Of Gold beat Mr Sandancer by one-and-three-quarter lengths, with Henri Labasque a short-head back in third. Dubai Status, the 7-4 favourite, faded tamely in the final furlong and finished out of the money.

Explaining the postponed racecourse debut of his two-year-old, Barry Hills said: “He came to me late because he had problems with an in-growing tooth. You can still see the marks on his face.

“I didn’t think he’d win because it looked a competitive race, but there wasn’t much else to aim at on a nice level track. I’m surprised, but I knew he was quite good.”

The trainer added that his colt does not hold any fancy targets. “Something like the Somerville Tattersalls Stakes [at Newmarket] could be suitable,” said Hills. “He’s by Danehill out of a Shirley Heights mare so he could get any distance, but he’ll definitely stay further than today’s trip.”

The sponsors of the race, bloodstock agents McKeever St Lawrence, were delighted to hand over their trophy to Bruce Raymond, representing the winning owner. They admitted that a victory for unplaced Tumbleweed Charm, who they bought on behalf of trainer Brian Meehan, would have been a slightly better result, but they have four youngsters running in the later £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes.

MEEHAN FLIES HIGH

The Pat Eddery-ridden filly was always prominent, and kept finding more when asked by her jockey. Holding the persistent challenge of the dead-heating runners-up, Consensus and Reefs Sis, Fly Gold Air battled on for a narrow victory from her number nine draw.

Punters looking for clues to the later Tote-sponsored Portland Handicap will have noted that the first four home all had single-figure draws.

The winning trainer said: “She is a US-bred filly, by the stallion Tactical Advantage. We bought her at the breeze-up sales in Miami at the start of the year.

“She’s an improving filly and can do so again for this race.”

Anima Mundi, who had been backed during the morning, crept through the pack on the bridle, but could not quicken up to the leader and finished fourth, while unplaced favourite Aldafra was blocked while making a run on the rail and can be counted unlucky not to have finished a lot closer.

SMOKIN ON FIRE

Drawn on the far side in stall nine, Smokin Beau had more than enough speed to get across to the stands’ side rail, and from there he held off all-comers, running out a neck winner from Seven No Trumps, with Stewards’ Cup victor Guinea Hunter a head behind in third.

The 14-1 winner was another highlight in the career of Aylesbury trainer John Cullinan, who looks after the four-year-old for a syndicate known as Turf 2000 Limited.

Cullinan said: “Everybody keeps writing this horse off, saying he’s too high in the handicap and that he’s only a front runner who doesn’t stay. Perhaps he’ll get the credit he deserves now.

“He’s won £100,000 this year and not many horses have done that in handicaps.

“He could run next week at Ayr in the Tote Gold Cup. He would have a penalty there and plenty of weight, but he’ll probably run if it doesn’t keep raining. Failing that there’s the Roses Stakes at Newmarket as a possibility - but we’ll pack him away if the ground gets too wet.”

The Tote reacted by cutting Smokin Beau to 16-1 from 25-1 for next week’s Ayr feature, while also reducing Seven No Trumps to 16-1 (from 33-1) and Guinea Hunter to 12-1 (20), behind their 8-1 favourite, Ghazal.

ACCLAMATION FOR
COTTRELL TEAM

Bought for 33,000gns at the sales complex just along the road from the racecourse, Acclamation picked up £151,800 for this victory, which came a shade cosily. Ridden by Frankie Dettori, Acclamation then survived a stewards’ inquiry into possible interference which had occurred as he raced into the lead.

This highly valuable race may be only Class B in status, but Dettori gave a flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure, to the delight of the winning syndicate, the eight-strong Dulford Cavaliers. Proudest among them was David Powell and Robin Dollar, who bred the colt and retained an interest in him.

Powell, of the Catridge Farm Stud in Wiltshire, said: “This is the most wonderful moment - words cannot describe it.

“His dam, Princess Athena, is now 16, and she has a colt foal by Efisio and is in foal to that stallion.”

Acclamation, a 9-1 shot, beat Old Blue Eyes and the 5-2 favourite Captain Rio, but Cottrell, was, as usual, not present to witness victory. His wife, Peggy, said: “Gerald’s 76 now and doesn’t like travelling, although we do go on cruises. He’s watching the race at home on the television with one of the owners.”

RANIN LANDS PARK HILL
FOR ED DUNLOP

Dunlop watched the race on satellite television from America, where he is attending the Keeneland Sales. Due to return to Britain on Friday, he is unlikely to be able to fly back until Monday following yesterday’s terrorist strikes.

His assistant, William Knight, said of Ranin: “She settled very well and they went no pace, which helped her stay the trip.

“She was unlucky in running on her latest start [at York last month] and before that encountered very soft ground in France. This faster ground was much more suitable.”

Ranin scored in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, whose Nayef won the Group 3 Select Stakes at Goodwood earlier in the afternoon. Willie Supple, who rode Ranin, kicked for home two furlongs out and gained a decisive advantage over runner-up Masilia, the Irish-trained filly representing John Oxx’s stable. Masilia, who was sent off the 9-4 favourite, was caught up among a group of horses in the home straight, but eventually bustled through to hold third-placed Jalousie.

RANIN’S HALF-BROTHER
IN QUICK FAMILY DOUBLE

Running in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Wahchi faced a stern battle with favourite Yasey as the two pulled clear approaching the furlong marker, but, as the latter faded, Wahchi pulled clear for a comfortable win by three lengths. Yasey, Japanese-bred by the stallion Sunday Silence, held debutante Dark Flower by a diminishing neck.

A son of Nashwan, out of the Roberto mare Nafhaat, Wahchi had been seventh on his only start previous start, at York in July, but had learned from the experience.

William Knight, deputising for trainer Ed Dunlop who is at the Keeneland Sales in America, said: “We’ve always liked this horse and he’s come on for his run at York. He ran a bit green there, and was a bit novicey when he was left in front today, but he’ll make a nice horse over 10 or 12 furlongs next year.”

WRONG
DISTANCE

The European Breeders Fund Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery was scheduled to be a six-and-a-half-furlong contest, but a mistake saw the starting stalls placed at the six-furlong marker.

The result stands because the weigh-in happened before anything amiss was noticed.

Th Doncaster stewards referred the matter to the stewards of the Jockey Club and ordered the confidential report.

CELTIC ISLAND
WINS FOR BREEDER

In a nip-and-tuck finish, Celtic Island rallied to defy Chem’s Truce, the pair relegating Thesis to third and top-weight French Lieutenant to fourth.

Winning trainer Mary Reveley was not present to watch John Carroll ride the victorious filly, but Brown was full of praise for the Saltburn handler’s talents.

Brown said: “I’ve got a smallholding with just three mares, but I bred this one and sent her to Bill Turner. He did well with her [winning two races with the daughter of Celtic Swing], but Mary is a marvellous trainer, and I fancied she could get the best from the filly.”

FIRST RACE RESULT
1.30pm McKEEVER ST LAWRENCE CONDITIONS STAKES

SECOND RACE RESULT
2.05pm EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND CARRIE RED FILLIES’ NURSERY STAKES

THIRD RACE RESULT
2.35pm TOTE TRIFECTA PORTLAND HANDICAP

FOURTH RACE RESULT
3.10pm £200,000 ST LEGER YEARLING STAKES

FIFTH RACE RESULT
3.40pm ROTHMANS ROYALS PARK HILL STAKES

Winning jockey:- Name: Supple, William
Born: June 8, 1968
Major wins include: Lockinge Stakes (1999 Fly To The Stars), Coventry Stakes (1996 Verglas)
Wins (1999-2000): 41; 49 Wins this season 60
Other details: Has ridden in Dubai since 1994, where he was champion in 1997/8, 1998/9, rode as stable jockey to Eric Alston in 1999, second rider to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum since 2000

SIXTH RACE RESULT
4.10pm THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION MAIDEN STAKES

Winning jockey:- Name: Supple, William
Born: June 8, 1968
Major wins include: Lockinge Stakes (1999 Fly To The Stars), Coventry Stakes (1996 Verglas)
Wins (1999-2000): 41; 49 Wins this season 60
Other details: Has ridden in Dubai since 1994, where he was champion in 1997/8, 1998/9, rode as stable jockey to Eric Alston in 1999, second rider to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum since 2000

SEVENTH RACE RESULT
4.40pm QUEEN’S OWN YORKSHIRE DRAGOONS CLASSIFIED STAKES

JOHANNESBURG AND QUEEN'S LOGIC STAND THEIR GOUND FOR NEWMARKET'S BIG 2-Y-O RACES

O'Brien has previously indicated that the Middle Park was likely to be JOHANNESBURG's third Group 1 target following his impressive victories in the Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown and the Prix Morny at Deauville. O'Brien's other big juvenile star of the moment, ROCK OF GIBRALTAR, whose next outing is likely to be in the Group 1 National Stakes in Ireland this Sunday, has also been left in the Middle Park.

Loder's entries include the TNT July Stakes winner, MESHAHEER, and the highly regarded York winner, OFFICIAL FLAME, while two French challengers have stood their ground, DOBBY ROAD, trained by Valerie Dissaux, and the Robert Collet-trained ZIPPING.

In the Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park Stakes, the fillies' equivalent of the Middle Park which is run over the same six furlong distance two days earlier on Tuesday 2nd October, Mick Channon's unbeaten juvenile star, QUEEN'S LOGIC, is one of 33 left in after the forfeit. With the Queen Mary and Lowther Stakes already under her belt, the current second favourite for the Sagitta 1,000 Guineas would be likely to start a warm order for what is arguably the most coveted two-year-old fillies prize of the season.

Aidan O'Brien's six acceptors include the Moyglare winner, QUARTER MOON, while David Loder's quintet include the beaten favourite in the Lowther, SILENT HONOR, still rated by the Newmarket handler as the nicest filly he has ever trained. That leaves her with a lot to live up to, for her trainer has two previous Cheveley Park winners to his name in Blue Duster and Embassy.

There are a host of other potentially top class fillies left in the race, including Dermot Weld's exciting prospect STEAMING HOME, Tim Easterby's Super Sprint winner, GOOD GIRL, and the Gerard Butler-trained SWISS LAKE.

"We are already looking forward to two great races here next month which look certain to provide some serious clues to next year's classics," commented Newmarket's Managing Director, Lisa Hancock.

"The autumn season on the Rowley Mile kicks off here with a good card on Saturday week (22 September), but it's with the Cambridgeshire Meeting at the start of October, and in particular the Shadwell Stud Cheveley Park and Middle Park Stakes, that it really takes off."

GALILEO STANDS FIRM IN THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II STAKES

Godolphin’s NOVERRE and the German trained PROUDWINGS will both be looking for revenge on VAHORIMIX. The Andre Fabre trained colt won the Dubai Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Prix Jacques le Marois by default after the disqualification of those two horses, so Ascot could be the scene for an exciting rematch.

Ireland are well represented by Aidan O’Brien who, in addition to GALILEO, has a strong team of 10. These include the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner BLACK MINNALOUSHE and the season’s top sprinter MOZART.

In addition to Sussex Stakes winner NOVERRE, Saeed bin Suroor could also run China Visit who has yet to run outside Dubai this season.

The best of the home challenge could come from NO EXCUSE NEEDED, who split NOVERRE and BLACK MINNALOUSHE in the Sussex Stakes, or possibly AMEERAT, winner of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket back in May.

“We are delighted that we may have representatives from five nations in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and it will be interesting to see if Galileo does take up the challenge to tackle the season’s top milers.” Said Nick Cheyne, Clerk of the Course at Ascot.

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

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