Friday, September 10, 2004

BETFAIR.COM ST LEGER FESTIVAL
DONCASTER, SGB CHAMPAGNE STAKES DAY
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2004

Steven Clarke, racecourse manager at Doncaster, said: “It is very pleasing to see the crowd up three days in a row, and we were also delighted to see the drop of rain to ease the ground slightly.

“We are hoping for the weather to be kind tomorrow, and it would be nice to think we could top the 28,000 who attended last year’s St Leger. Advance sales have been very encouraging, so things are looking good.”



BETFAIR.COM ST LEGER PREVIEW

Sir Michael Stoute will be hoping that the rain, which was lashing down in the south and midlands on Friday morning, will work its way up to Doncaster in time for Quiff to break the Freemason Lodge hoodoo in the betfair.com St Leger on Saturday.

The oldest classic is the one big race missing in Stoute’s domestic CV - four times he has saddled the runner-up and even the mighty Shergar chose St Leger day to put in his solitary bad run.

Similarly, champion jockey Kieren Fallon, who rides Quiff provided the filly get the green light to run, has found the Town Moor classic something of a bogey, finishing second on Sapience, his first ride in the race, but being out of the money on his subsequent three mounts.

We have to go back to User Friendly in 1992 to find the last filly to succeed, though both High And Low and Ramruma finished second, but Quiff, impeccably bred, being by Sadler’s Wells out of 1,000 Guineas heroine Wince, certainly looked the part when winning the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks, revelling in the soft ground to pull 11 lengths clear of the useful Pongee.

The Godolphin team, with three St Leger triumphs already, via Classic Cliche, Nedawi and Mutafaweq, is making some bullish noises about Rule of Law and, though the Vodafone Derby runner-up is not bred to stay this longer distance, he showed no signs of stopping when confirming his superiority over Let The Lion Roar in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York, and his form is rock-solid.

Aussie ace Kerrin McEvoy, who rode Rule Of Law at Epsom, is back on board - Frankie Dettori is on duty in Ireland with Doyen - and the fact that his horse has shown that he acts on any type of going has to be a bonus.

Nevertheless, though Let The Lion Roar has four times had a rear view of Rule Of Law this season, John Dunlop gives him a chance of turning the form around - if the rain arrives.

Dunlop bases his optimism on the fact that Let The Lion Roar, a half-brother to 2000 St Leger winner Millenary, has always looked as if he would improve for going up in trip, and he also believes that a faster gallop - Dettori dictated things from the front on Rule Of Law at York - will suit his horse that much better.

Go For Gold (third) has four lengths to find with Rule Of Law on Great Voltigeur form, but, being a half-brother to Milan, winner of St Leger three years ago, he, too, should appreciate the extra distance.

The trip also gives Aidan O’Brien hope that Go For Gold, on whom Seb Sanders will be looking for his first classic victory, can reverse Gordon Stakes running with Maraahel, the second runner from the Stoute yard.

Maraahel had a length and a half to spare at Goodwood and Stoute is in the strange position of wanting it to stay dry for him but to rain for Quiff, though underfoot conditions are not the only concern for Maraahel, who, being by Alzao, is not sure to stay.

Darryll Holland, second (Highest) and third (Phoenix Reach) for the last two years, has picked up a tasty spare ride for Aidan O’Brien in Tycoon, but the colt, whose best run was his third in the Irish Derby, got in a right stew in the preliminaries before the Juddmonte International at York and ran no race whatsoever, trailing in last.

Mikado, O’Brien’s third runner, took minor honours in the Ebor Handicap but would need to improve to figure in the shake-up, while connections of Czechoslovakian raider Darsalam would doubtless be delighted to finish in the frame, a remark that also applies to Mick Quinlan’s Listed winner Frank Sonata and Albinus, who will only run if the rain arrives.

totescoop6 to reach £600,000 mark


Whilst Quiff and co battle it out for a £240,000 first prize in the final classic of the season tomorrow, totescoop6 players will be battling it out to win a combined fund which could reach £600,000.

With the win fund currently standing at £229,783 and the bonus fund at £187,852 turnover is expected to be high enough to push the funds well over the half a million mark and beyond.

Races this week are divided between Doncaster, Musselburgh and Chester and will include the big race of the day, the betfair.com St Leger.

With most races coming from Doncaster, the standard of racing will be extremely competitive and, with the meeting already going against the favourites, punters will have to be at the top of their game.

Dettori backers will also have to rethink their strategy as the "punters pal" is competing in Ireland.

All this means that the possibility of a single winner is extremely high, which is good news for all players, big or small.

totescoop6 TV Legs

Leg 1 1.50 Musselburgh - totesport.com Handicap
Leg 2 2.05 Doncaster - ladbrokes.com Stakes
Leg 3 2.25 Chester - totesport Henry Gee Fillies Stakes
Leg 4 2.40 Doncaster- Porcelanosa Stakes
Leg 5 3.15 Doncaster - betfair.com St Leger
Leg 6 3.45 Doncaster - Polypipe Flying Childers

Race One: DBS St Leger Yearling Sales

OVERDUE WIN FOR TAGULA SUNRISE
Richard Fahey has been walking his box all summer wondering what he had to do to win a race with Tagula Sunrise, but it all came right at the seventh attempt in the DBS St Leger Yearling Stakes, when the filly, responding to the efforts of Paul Hanagan, got home by a neck and a short head in a blanket finish with Royal Orissa and My Gacho.

Fahey, celebrating his 54th winner in what is his best season, said: “Tagula Sunrise has been a very frustrating filly. She shows an awful lot of ability at home, but we have been contemplating blinkers and everything to find the key.

“She is very laid-back and Paul needed to really get after her to make her do it, but she is Listed placed and it was important to win a race.”

Fahey, who has Tagula Sunrise entered in the big two-year-old race at Redcar, also offered a back-handed compliment the way of bloodstock agent Robin O’Ryan.

He said: “Robin bought the filly for 35,000gns, and he told me she’d win at Doncaster, but I think he meant Thursday’s race, which was worth Ù200,000, so you could say that he was right and wrong.”

Frankie Dettori, just pipped on Royal Orissa, got off and told trainer Derek Haydn Jones: “I’m sorry - I shouldn’t have switched. If I had stayed where I was, we would have won.”


FIRST RACE RESULT
1.15pm DBS ST LEGER YEARLING STAKES
Class B1, £54,000 guaranteed, for 2yo which were declared to run, but were eliminated at the overnight declaration stage from the 2004 £200,000 St Leger Yearling Stakes (nb entry will be limited to the first 22 horses eliminated from that race). 6f. Weights: colts & geldings 8st 11lb; fillies 8st 6lb. Penalties: a winner of a Class/Category C race 3lb; of a Listed race or Class/Category B race 5lb; of any Pattern race 7lb (nursery handicaps excluded for the purposes of penalties). Penalty values: 1st: £27,000; 2nd: £10,800; 3rd: £5,400; 4th: £2,700; 5th: £1,350; 6th: £1,350

1. TAGULA SUNRISE (David Knaggs & Mel Roberts) Richard Fahey 2-8-06 Paul Hanagan [8] 8/1
2. ROYAL ORISSA (Llewellyn, Runeckles) Derek Haydn Jones 2-8-11 Frankie Dettori [17] 14/1
3. MY GACHO (Grant Mercer & R Toes) Nerys Dutfield 2-8-11 Robert Havlin [18] 33/1
4. GRAND PLACE (Mrs J Powell) Richard Hannon 2-8-11 Ryan Moore [3] 33/1
5. DANCING ROSE (The Eighteen Dreamers) Clive Cox 2-8-06 Richard Smith [20]
6. RUSKY DUSKY (Denis Barry & Keith Trowbridge) Richard Hannon 2-8-11 Dane O'Neill [15]
7. TOFFEE VODKA (G & Mrs L Woodward) John Hills 2-8-06 Richard Hills [6]
8. LOVE AFFAIR (Speedlith Group) Richard Hannon 2-8-06 Michael Hills [14]
9. MOLLY MARIE (Vintage Partners) Tim Easterby 2-8-06 Ted Durcan [22] 7/1 Fav
10. BREAKING SHADOW (G Morrill) Richard Fahey 2-8-11 Kevin Darley [7]
11. SAPPHIRE DREAM (P Tellwright) Alan Bailey 2-8-06 Robert Winston [16]
12. MISSPERON (Angie Bailey) Kevin Ryan 2-8-06 Neil Callan [2]
13. LORD OF DREAMS (Derrick Broomfield) David Arbuthnot 2-8-11 Kerrin McEvoy [11]
14. RAINBOW IRIS (Paul Spencer) Bryan Smart 2-8-06 Chris Catlin [9]
15. SCROOBY BABY (Paul Dixon) Jamie Osborne 2-8-06 Eddie Ahern [10]
16. MUSICO (E Thornton) Rod Millman 2-8-11 Steve Drowne [13]
17. FLYING DANCER (The Flying High Partnership) Alan King 2-8-06 J D Smith [4]
18. MELVINO (Theo Williams & Charles Mocatta) David Barron 2-8-11 Dean Mernagh [1]
19. WIGWAM WILLIE (Neil & Anne Dawson Partnership) Mark Wallace 2-8-11 Kieren Fallon [5]
20 STRIKING ENDEAVOUR (Unicorn Free Spirit Partnership) Nick Littmoden 2-8-11 Richard Quinn [12]
21. SUPERSTITIOUS (J Fretwell) Bryan McMahon 2-8-11 Willie Ryan [21]

Dane O’Neill suspended for two days for careless riding, September 21 & 22.

21 ran NR 9 SANT JORDI
Breeder: Thomas Doherty Breeding: ch f Tagula (IRE) - Lady From Limerick (IRE)
Distances: nk, sh, sh, 0.75, nk, 2, 1, hd, nk, nk, 1, nk, 0.5, 0.5, 1.5, 0.5, 1.75, 3, 6, 15
Time: 1m 11.91s
Totes: Win: £10.10 Places: £3.30, £5.10, £13.10 Exacta: £119




HAS CUMANI FOUND ANOTHER CHAMPION APPRENTICE?

Luca Cumani, fresh from fighting off the Ebor appeal at Portman Square with Mephisto, landed a gamble with improving handicapper Lost Soldier Three in The totepool Mallard Handicap.

Lost Soldier Three, the 5-2 favourite, was given a cool ride by promising apprentice Nicky Mackay, who waited patiently for the gap to appear when he found himself hemmed in on the rails at the two furlong-pole, where Frankie Dettori went for home on Fantastic Love.

The split eventually came, and Lost Soldier Three, who had been put up 10lb for winning at York last month, quickened up well and showed plenty of spirit to hold on by a length and a quarter, with Sergeant Cecil getting up to pip Fantastic Love for second.

Mackay is with Luca Cumani, and his guv’nor praised the youngster for a splendid ride.

He said: ”It was good for the kid to beat Frankie in a finish, but he is a good lad and he did not panic when he found himself in a pocket.

“Frankie Dettori, Jason Weaver, Jimmy Fortune and Royston Ffrench were all champion apprentices with me, and I believe that Nicky has the potential to follow in their footsteps and take the boys’ crown.”

Cumani has a high opinion of Lost Soldier Three, who carries the Derby-winning colours (High Rise) of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al-Maktoum.

He added: “There is no doubt that this horse will get two miles next year and he could prove to be a Cup horse. It is the natural progression to come here after winning the Melrose - I did it with Eastern Mystic a few years back, and a progressive three-year-old can often have the edge on their elders at this time of the year.”

And why the name ? “The owner had Lost Soldier and Lost Soldier Two, both of whom were useless. He stuck with the name and he stuck with me, so I am delighted he has finally got a good one.”



SECOND RACE RESULT
1.50pm TOTEPOOL MALLARD HANDICAP

Class B1, Handicap £40,000 added, for 3yo+ rated 96-110, 1m 6f 132yds. Minimum weight 8st 10lb, 3yo 7st 12lb. Penalties: after August 28, a winner of a Class/Category D to G race 4lb; of a Class/Category A to C race 7lb. Weight for age: 3yo from 4yo+ 12lb. Penalty values: 1st: £23,200; 2nd: £8,800; 3rd: £4,400; 4th: £2,000; 5th: £1,000; 6th: £600


1. LOST SOLDIER THREE (Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum) Luca Cumani 3-8-01 Nicky Mackay (3) [2] 5/2 Fav
2. SERGEANT CECIL (Terry Cooper) Rod Millman 5-8-12 Jimmy Fortune [5] 5/1
3. FANTASTIC LOVE (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-06 Frankie Dettori [3] 9/1
4. TRUST RULE (Abdulla Buhaleeba) Barry Hills 4-8-10 Michael Hills [13]
5. HIGH ACTION (C Barnes) Ian Williams 4-8-10 Kevin Darley [10]
6. STAR MEMBER (Jarvis Associates) Alan Jarvis 5-9-02 Kerrin McEvoy [15]
7. MIDAS WAY (Alexandra Chandris) Patrick Chamings 4-9-00 Eddie Ahern [12]
8. HEISSE (Jumeirah Racing) David Loder 4-8-12 Ryan Moore [1]
9. SUPREMACY (The Royal Ascot Racing Club) Sir Michael Stoute 5-9-10 Kieren Fallon [4]
10. SANTANDO (Mrs J Khan) Clive Brittain 4-8-10 Richard Hills [9]
11. YOSHKA (Saeed Buhaleeba) Mark Johnston 3-7-13 Royston Ffrench [14]
12. BOURGEOIS (C Stevens) Tim Easterby 7-9-01 Robert Winston [7]
13. HIGHLAND GAMES (K Bailey,P Booth,D Boorer) James Given 4-8-10 Richard Quinn [8]
14. ZIBELINE (Ashley Carr) Brian Ellison 7-8-10 Dane O'Neill [6]
15 SALSALINO (Nigel Bunter) Alan King 4-9-05 J D Smith [11]

15 ran
Breeder: Darley, Breeding: b g Barathea (IRE) - Donya
Distances: 1.25, hd, 2.5, 2.5, 1.5,1.5,1.5, 1, 1, sh, 0.75, 4, 0.75, nk
Time: 3m 3.90s
Totes: Win: £3.70 Places: £1.90, £2.20, £2.40 Exacta: £14.10


Race Three: Gilbey Brothers Silver Microphone Conditions Stakes

DETTORI BRILLIANT ON
BIG BAD BOB

Frankie Dettori, who has been on fire at Doncaster this week, produced the ride of the meeting with a magnificent display of how to go from the front when winning the Gilbey Brothers Silver Microphone Stakes on Big Bad Bob.

Riders in the stand criticised the other five jockeys for allowing Dettori an uncontested lead in front on Big Bad Bob, but the Italian, booting home his sixth winner on Town Moor this week and reducing Kieren Fallon’s lead at the top of the jockeys’ championship to three, had judged the pace to perfection, and, though both odds-on favourite Red Fort and Bayberry closed in on him close home, he had enough in reserve to hold on by three parts of a length and a neck.

“What a ride - that is one for the scrapbook,” declared Harry Dunlop, assistant to his father John at Arundel.

Dunlop jnr added: “Big Bad Bob is not easy - you could see that in Ireland last time when he ran too keen for Mick Kinane. But Frankie got him relaxed and they just kept going. He is riding with so much confidence, and it was a joy to watch.”

Dettori, who revealed that he is enjoying his scrap with Fallon, said: “I spoke to John this morning and he told me that Big Bad Bob is deceptive in that he will give you the feel that you are going too fast, but to put those thoughts out of my mind and kick on, rather than wait for them to come to me.”

Confirming that Big Bad Bob will stay in training as a five-year-old, Dunlop jnr said: “He was a good two-year-old, and it’s good to see him come back to form. Hopefully, that will have done his confidence the power of good.”




THIRD RACE RESULT
2.25pm GILBEY BROTHERS SILVER MICROPHONE CONDITIONS STAKES

Class B1, £20,000 guaranteed, for 3-5yo which have not won a Pattern race in 2004, 1m 2f 60yds. Weights: 3yo colts & geldings 8st 9lb; fillies 8st 4lb; 4yo & 5yo colts & geldings 9st 2lb; fillies 8st 11lb. Penalties: in 2004, each Class/Category D race won 2lb; for each Class/Category C race won 4lb; for each Class/Category A or B race won 6lb; additionally, a winner of a Group One race or Group Two race at any other time (races won at 2yo excepted) 6lb (handicaps excluded for the purposes of penalties) (penalties cumulative & maximum penalty 12lb). Weight for age: 3yo from 4yo+ 7lb. Penalty values: 1st: £11,600; 2nd: £4,400; 3rd: £2,200; 4th: £1,000; 5th: £500; 6th: £300

1. BIG BAD BOB (Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc) John Dunlop 4-9-02 Frankie Dettori [3] 7/2
2. RED FORT (The Red Fort Partnership) Michael Jarvis 4-9-02 Philip Robinson [4] 5/6 Fav
3. BAYBERRY (Frederick Seitz) Henry Cecil 4-8-11 Willie Ryan [2]
4. KAIETEUR (Susan McCarthy) Brian Meehan 5-9-08 Jimmy Fortune [6]
5. ARTISTIC LAD (Saeed Suhail) Sir Michael Stoute 4-9-02 Kieren Fallon [5]
6. LOVE YOU ALWAYS (H Thompson - P Thompson) Julie Feilden 4-9-02 Brian Reilly [1]

This was Frankie’s sixth win of the betfair.com St Leger Meeting and he has a clear lead in the betfair.com Top Jockey Trophy.

6 ran
Breeder: Windflower Overseas Holdings Inc, Breeding: br c Bob Back (USA) - Fantasy Girl (IRE)
Distances: 0.75, nk, 6, 9, 0.5 Time: 2m 6.89s
Totes: Win: £3.50 Places: £2, £1.10 Exacta: £5.80


Fourth race - SGB Champagne Stakes

ETLAALA LEAPS TO HEAD OF GUINEAS MARKET

Etlaala overcame what was a nightmare run for Richard Hills to sprout wings and win a dramatic SGB Champagne Stakes by half a length from Iceman, and he is now 10-1 equal favourite (with Shamardal) with Corals, Ladbrokes and Paddy Power for next year’s UltimateBet.com 2,000 Guineas - Cashmans go 14/1.

Missing the break was the first of a series of problems encountered by Hills during the race, and the jockey was fulsome of praise for Etlaala for getting him out of jail.

Hills said: ”With a clear round, I would have won two lengths. He learned nothing first time out at Newbury, but Plan A went out of the window when we missed the break.

“I had intended following Elliot’s World, but we got a bump at the start, so I decided to take my time as I wanted to come with one run.

“But as we tried to creep into the race the gaps closed as fast as they opened and then, when I put his head in half-way for a split between Iceman and Elliot’s World a furlong and a half out, I had to pull out as the door shut sharply and he hit them up the backside and was lucky to stay on his feet.

“All credit to Etlaala fror picking himself up, and when I pulled outside Iceman he really took off.

“Dad told me two months ago that this was our Guineas horse, and he looks a bit special.”

Winning trainer Barry Hills, who had this year’s Guineas winner Haafhd perform so disappointing in this race last year, plans to run Etlaala in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket next month before putting him away for the Guineas.

Hills said: “We have suffered a stop-start season, with the horses coughing through June, July and August, so, while I wanted to come here with two runs under his belt, that was just not possible.

“He won easily at Newbury and did not learn too much, but he has always worked at home like a colt who was out of the top drawer, and I have long felt that he was a cut-above Shannon Springs, who was lame and came back with an infection after being beaten here on Wednesday, and, taking a line through that filly, I knew that we could beat Elliot’s World and Oude.”

John Gosden was delighted with runner-up Iceman, who was conceding 5lb to Etlaala.

Gosden, who will now run Iceman either in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp or the Dewhurst, said: “The first two are proper horses, but, while I was pleased with my horse, I am not so chuffed with the fact that we had to carry a 5lb penalty from the Coventry Stakes back in June in another Group 2 in September. That does not seem right.

“However, take nothing away from Etlaala, who is clearly very good. Iceman would not run in Paris if the ground came up soft.” Iceman was cut to 16-1 with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power for the Guineas.

Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, which owns third-placed Oude, said: “He burned himself out by trying to do too much in the first half of the race. He was just too keen to please, but he has run a good race, and, remember, Haafhd was beaten in this race last year. And he went on to win the Guineas.”



FOURTH RACE RESULT
3.00pm SGB CHAMPAGNE STAKES
Class A1, Group Two, £90,000 guaranteed, for 2yo colts & geldings only, 7f. Weights 8st 10lb. Penalties: a winner of a Group 3 race 3lb; of a Group 1 or 2 race 5lb. Penalty values: 1st: £60,000; 2nd: £23,000; 3rd: £11,500; 4th: £5,500

1. ETLAALA (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Barry Hills 2- 8-10 Richard Hills [3] 6/1
2. ICEMAN (Cheveley Park Stud) John Gosden 2- 9-01 Kieren Fallon [2] 5/2 jt-fav
3. OUDE (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 2- 8-10 Frankie Dettori [9] 5/2 jt-fav
4. WILKO (Susan Roy) Jeremy Noseda 2- 8-10 Eddie Ahern [5]
5. GRAND MARQUE (Noodles Racing) Richard Hannon 2- 8-10 Ryan Moore [7]
6. ELLIOTS WORLD (Atlantic Racing Ltd) Mark Johnston 2- 8-10 Joe Fanning [1]
7. MISTER GENEPI (Mike Caddy & Brian Moss) William Muir 2- 8-10 Steve Drowne [10]
8. JONQUIL (Sheikh Mohammed) John Gosden 2- 8-10 Jimmy Fortune [12]
9. SURWAKI (Dennis Shaw) Clive Cox 2- 8-10 Philip Robinson [11]
10. LEO'S LUCKY STAR (Mrs S Brookhouse) Mark Johnston 2- 8-10 Kevin Darley [6]

10 ran NR no 6 KINGS QUAY & no 10 PIVOTAL FLAME
Breeder: Matthews Breeding and Racing Ltd, Breeding: ch c Selkirk (USA) - Portelet
Distances: 0.5, 2.5, 1.25, nk, 1.5, nk, 2, 5, 1.5 Time: 1m 23.33s
Totes: Win: £7.40 Places: £2.30, £1.30, £1.40 Exacta: £26.50

Race Five: orderIT-online.com Troy Stakes

DISTINCTION MELBOURNE-BOUND

Distinction, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s 20-share Orangery Syndicate, is now second-favourite at 12-1 for the Melbourne Cup with Corals - behind former James-Given-trained Hugs Dancer (10-1) - following a gutsy three parts of a length success over Compton Bolter in the Listed orderIt-online.com Troy Stakes.

In a slow-run race, which would not have suited him, Distinction found plenty when wound up by Kieren Fallon entering the final furlong, and the champion jockey was very bullish about his chance at Flemington, Australia, on the first Tuesday in November.

Fallon said: “Distinction is a horse who has got it all. I have never ridden in the Melbourne Cup, but I have seen plenty on tape and you need a horse with the speed to win over a mile and a half but who stays well and acts on fast ground.

“All he needs now is a decent draw and a bit of luck, but he is a proper horse who travels and won’t mind the hustle and bustle.”

Sir Michael Stoute was absent, but his partner, Coral Pritchard-Gordon, confirmed that Distinction will go into quarantine at Newmarket on Sunday and added that the plan is to run in the Caulfield Cup en route.

Alex Smith, representing the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing team, said: ”Distinction will leave for Australia in two weeks time, and several of the Orangery Syndicate, which owns him, have already booked their flights.”

Fallon, Smith and Pritchard-Gordon all stressed that the faster gallop Down Under would suit Distinction better, but Paddy Power still make the five-year-old a 16-1 chance to lift the Cup.

FIFTH RACE RESULT
3.35pm ORDERIT-ONLINE.COM TROY STAKES

Class A1, Listed Race, £30,000 guaranteed, for 3yo+ which have not won a Group One or Group Two Pattern race in 2004. Weights: 3yo colts & geldings 8st 6lb; fillies 8st 1lb; 4yo+ colts & geldings 9st 1lb; fillies 8st 10lb. Penalties: in 2004, a winner of a Listed race 5lb; of a Group Three race 8lb. Penalty values: 1st: £19,500; 2nd: £6,000; 3rd: £3,000; 4th: £1,500

1. DISTINCTION (Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd) Sir Michael Stoute 5-9-06 Kieren Fallon [2] 5/2 Fav
2. COMPTON BOLTER (Erik Penser) Gerard Butler 7-9-01 Eddie Ahern [6] 11/2
3. SWIFT TANGO (Khalifa Sultan) Ed Dunlop 4-9-06 Paul Hanagan [3]
4. DELSARTE (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-01 Frankie Dettori [1]
5. STARRY LODGE (R Thompson) Luca Cumani 4-9-01 Jimmy Fortune [7]
6. FRANKLINS GARDENS (Mrs M Barwell) Mark Tompkins 4-9-01 Philip Robinson [5]
7. PRIVATE CHARTER (Sangster Family & Partners) Barry Hills 4-9-01 Michael Hills [4]


7 ran
Breeder: Orpendale & Minch Bloodstock Breeding: b g Danehill (USA) - Ivy Leaf (IRE)
Distances: 0.75, 1.5, nk, 3, 0.5, 5 Time: 2m 29.62s
Totes: Win: £3.70 Places: £2.10, £3.10, Exacta: £18.60



Race Six: Centex Fairclough Homes Trophy

SECRET CHARM BOUNCES BACK

Barry Hills topped up the ‘Champagne’ celebrations which followed Etlaala’s success when saddling Secret Charm, ridden by his son Michael, to win the Centex Fairclough Homes Trophy.

It was a battling performance from Secret Charm, who set a scorching pace from flagfall, and, despite being momentarily headed by Milk It Mick in the final 100 yards, fought back to gain a half-length victory.

Secret Charm was taking a drop in class, having run in three Group Ones this season, the English and Irish Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, and the trainer was delighted to get back on the winning road with a filly whom he has always maintained was Pattern race material.

Barry Hills said: “Secret Charm never came to herself in the spring, but the horses were wrong, so you can’t judge her on previous disappointments.

“I wanted to bring her back over a mile and a quarter but couldn’t find a race over that trip, so we decided to pop her out in front over the mile as she has plenty of stamina. She ought to be capable of winning a Group 3 race.”

Jamie Osborne was delighted that Milk It Mick, last year’s Dewhurst Stakes winner who had run a stinker last time out at Chester, showed signs of returning to form.

Osborne said: “That was a good run, and Mick is on the way back. He has always been vulnerable when hitting the front too soon, and the filly battled back and ran us out of it.

“I want to get his head back in front to give his confidence a boost, so we will look for another conditions race rather than chucking him back in the deep end.”



SIXTH RACE RESULT
4.10pm CENTEX FAIRCLOUGH HOMES TROPHY

Class C2, Conditions Stakes £15,000 guaranteed, for 3yo which have not won a Pattern race in 2004. 1m round Weights: colts & geldings 8st 11lb; fillies 8st 6lb. Penalties: in 2004, for each Class/Category D race won 3lb, for each Class/Category C race won 5lb, for each Class/Category A or B race won 7lb (handicaps excluded for the purposes of penalties, penalties cumulative and maximum penalty 14lb). Allowances: horses which have never run 3lb. Penalty values: 1st: £8,700; 2nd: £3,300; 3rd: £1,650; 4th: £750; 5th: £375; 6th: £225

1. SECRET CHARM (Maktoum Al Maktoum) Barry Hills 3-8-06 Michael Hills [9] 11/2
2. MILK IT MICK (Paul Dixon) Jamie Osborne 3-8-11 Kieren Fallon [2] 9/2
3. MANSFIELD PARK (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 3-8-06 Kerrin McEvoy [3] 11/2
4. FANTASTIC VIEW (Malih Al Basti) Richard Hannon 3-8-11 Ryan Moore [1]
5. ORIENTAL WARRIOR (Hadi Al-Tajir) Marcus Tregoning 3-8-11 Richard Hills [4]
6. MOONLIGHT MAN (J Lazzari) Richard Hannon 3-8-11 Dane O'Neill [6]
7. MISS CHILDREY (Miss A Jones) Francis Ennis IRE 3-8-06 Mark Grant [7]
8. THAJJA (Hamdan Al Maktoum) John Dunlop 3-9-02 Frankie Dettori [8] 11/4 Fav
9. TAROT CARD (Khalid Abdulla) Barry Hills 3-8-06 Paul Hanagan [5]

9 ran
Breeder: Gainsborough Stud Management, Breeding: b f Green Desert (USA) - Viz (USA)
Distances: 0.5, 1, hd, 1.75, 2, 8, 4, 1.25 Time: 1m 36.07s
Totes: Win: £6.80 Places: £2, £1.40, £2 Exacta: £31.60


Race Seven: Wilfreda Beehive Handicap

HITCHCOTT STRIKES AGAIN


Apprentice Sam Hitchcott, who officially lost his right to claim when Borrego won the finale here on Thursday, is still allowed to draw the 3lb allowance until after Sunday, and he needed every ounce of those 3lb when getting the Mick Channon-trained Malapropism home by a short-head from Beyond The Clouds in the closing Wilfreda Beehive Handicap.

Hitchcott, who was celebrating the 96th winner of his career, said: “One ride, one winner, so it’s been another good day.

“Malapropism is a horse who has to everything go right for him, and the cards fell his way today.

“He had a good draw, has come down the weights slightly and is showing a bit more consistency.”


SEVENTH RACE RESULT
4.45pm WILFREDA BEEHIVE HANDICAP STAKES

Class D2, £10,000 guaranteed, for 3yo+ rated 71-85 (also open to such horses rated 70 and below). 5f. Minimum weight 8st 7lb, 3yo 8st 6lb. Penalties: after August 28, a winner 6lb. Weight for age: 3yo from 4yo+ 1lb. Penalty values: 1st: £6,500; 2nd: £2,000; 3rd: £1,000; 4th: £500

1. MALAPROPISM (Michael Foy) Mick Channon 4- 8-12 Sam Hitchcott (3) [17]13/2
2. BEYOND THE CLOUDS (S Pedersen) John Wainwright 8- 8-10 Robert Winston [10] 12/1
3 MIDNIGHT PARKES (Joseph Heler) Eric Alston 5- 8-07 Matt Henry [3] 33/1
4. CURRENCY (Robert Bailey) Milton Bradley 7- 9-00 Ryan Moore [19] 6/1 Fav
5. ZARZU (Page, Pickering, Taylor, Ward, Marsh) Con Dore 5- 8-11 Richard Thomas (3) [21]
6. MARSHALLSPARK (J Staunton) Richard Fahey 5- 8-08 Paul Hanagan [15]
7. INTER VISION (The Milan Partnership) Allan Dickman 4- 9-02 Tony Beech (3) [7]
8. PADDYWACK (T Redman) David Chapman 7- 8-09 Joe Fanning [1]
9. DISPOL KATIE (W Imison) David Barron 3- 9-03 Neil Callan [6]
10. MATTY TUN (Mrs O Tunstall) John Balding 5- 9-06 John Bramhill [22]
11. WANCHAI LAD (Ambrose Turnbull) David Nicholls 3- 9-07 Adrian Nicholls [2]
12. MUSICAL FAIR (P & S Partnership) Jeremy Glover 4- 8-12 Frannie Norton [13]
13. TRUE MAGIC (T Lock) James Bethell 3- 8-10 Kerrin McEvoy [18]
14. DANCING MYSTERY (Astrod Ta Austin Stroud & Co) Eric Wheeler 10- 9-01 George Baker [4]
15. TRICK CYCLIST (Park House Partnership) Andrew Balding 3- 8-08 Steve Drowne [5]
16. PICCLED (The Pain & Heartache Partnership) Eric Alston 6- 9-06 Ted Durcan [16]
17. SILVER PRELUDE (Mrs A Shone) Dean Ivory 3- 9-04 Philip Robinson [11]
18. PALAWAN (M Evans) Andrew Balding 8- 8-07 Chris Catlin [14]
19. CALYPSO DANCER (Peter Savill) David Barron 4- 8-09 Kevin Darley [20]
20. FYODOR (The Fyodor Partnership) William Haggas 3- 9-01 Eddie Ahern [12]

20 ran no 2 ARTIE and no 8 Lord Of The East
Breeder: Michael A Foy Breeding: ch g Compton Place - Mrs Malaprop
Distances: sh, 0.75, hd, hd, sh, 0.75, 0.5, nk, nk, nk, hd, hd, hd, nk, 1.25, sh, sh, 1.25, 2.5 Time: 58.74s
Totes: Win: £8.30 Places: £1.90, £3.80, £9, £2.30 Exacta: £108



COURSE DRYING OUT

Following another dry night, the going has changed at Doncaster for the third day of the betfair.com St Leger Festival and, having walked the Town Moor track on Friday morning, Jonjo Sanderson, acting clerk of the course, described the ground as

GOOD TO FIRM, with FIRM in places on the straight course

Sanderson said: “If we were running the betfair.com St Leger today, the horses would be running on good to firm going, because it is up towards the stands’ side rail where the ground has quickened up to firm.

“The straight course will ride faster and, ideally, we could do with a quarter of an inch of rain before racing tomorrow. They tell me that it is pouring down in Wolverhampton this morning, and the rain is forecast to reach us eventually, so we certainly have no plans to water.”


BETTING NEWS

Punters seem far from convinced that the rain will reach Doncaster before Saturday’s betfair.com St Leger, with Corals reporting Sir Michael Stoute’s mud-loving filly as “friendless in the market” for the oldest classic.

Simon Clare, the Corals PR Director, said: “We cannot give Quiff away and she is out to 4-1 with no takers,” sentiments echoed by Paddy Power, who also have the Yorkshire Oaks winner on the slide and now offer 7-2 (from 100-30).

Paddy Power report sustained money for the favourite Rule Of Law (15-8 from 2-1) and “bits and pieces” for Tycoon (13-2 from 7-1) and, while Frankie Dettori misses Rule Of Law and the Town Moor action to ride in Ireland, the Italian continues to be the one punters want to back for the jockeys’ championship, shortening up with the Irish firm to 5-4, while Kieren Fallon, who, in contrast to Dettori, has had a “thin” week by his standards, remains on the drift and is now offered at 4-7.

Doyen is now odds-on on with Paddy Power for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (10-11 from evens), but Soviet Song, who takes on Attraction in the Matron Stakes on the same programme, is taking the reverse route, easing to 11-10 from 10-11.

Business has been relatively quiet on today’s racing, but there has been an interesting move for Godolphin’s Mansfield Park in the Centex Fairclough Homes Trophy.

Frankie Dettori, not wishing to waste to do 8st 6lb, is instead riding Thajja for Sheikh Hamdan Al-Maktoum, leaving Kerrin McEvoy to substitute on Mansfield Park and, though the filly has been off the track for more than a year, she has been a significant market-mover with both Ladbrokes (7-2 from 9-2) and Paddy Power (4-1 from 5-1).

Ladbrokes also report money for both Franklin’s Gardens (4-1 from 5-1) and Starry Lodge (11-2 from 13-2) in the orderIT-online.com Troy Stakes while, though Corals have seen cash for both Lost Soldier Three (11-4 from 3-1) - Pricewise selection in The Racing Post - and outsiders Santando and Trust Rule, Clare revealed that “the best backed horse of the day is undoubtedly Oude in the SGB Champagne Stakes.”





GILBEY BROTHERS SILVER MICROPHONE

Sir Peter O’Sullevan, the “Voice of Racing”, will be on hand at Doncaster today ( Friday, September 10) to present the trophy for the Gilbey Brothers Silver Microphone Conditions Stakes.

The race commemorates the two Gilbey brothers, Quintin and Geoffrey, who jointly provided the first live radio commentary on the St Leger in 1927, won by Book Law.

The commentary is widely recognised as a truly innovative broadcasting event.

Quintin Gilbey was entirely professional during the broadcast, despite being known to have placed a substantial wager on Book Law!

Geoffrey Gilbey subsequently founded the Sporting Record publication which inaugurated the sports personality of the year contest before it was transferred to the BBC while Quintin Gilbey was a writer on the Manchester-based Sporting Chronicle for many years.

Anthony Gilbey, son of Quintin, has arranged the trophy for today’s Doncaster contest - a 1930s style microphone cast in silver.

'BETFAIR DAY' - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004

GOVERNMENT MINISTER BACKS EXCHANGES AND MOUs

Speaking in London, the Minister Responsible for Gambling said that he "strongly urge[d] those sporting regulators who have not been convinced of the value of such agreements to reconsider".

His call came only 24 hours after the Australian Racing Board once again rejected the notion of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Betfair - an idea first mooted by Betfair to the Australian racing industry in March 2003. The ARB considers that the MOU is a sham', and sets no store by it having been signed by sporting bodies all over the world.

Lord Macintosh lent further support to the exchange model currently being questioned by Australia's racing industry when he told his audience that "exchanges have now firmly established themselves in the betting market. [...] The business grows, the Government benefits, and money goes back to sport. Consumers receive more choice, something the Government is very much in favour of. Sporting regulators receive the advantages of unrivalled audit trails, assisting them to protect the integrity of their sports."

Lord Macintosh went on to say that he had "had the opportunity to see the exchange operation at first hand, and I have been impressed by the technology employed. They are examples of modern business systems coupled with a positive attitude towards social and corporate responsibilities. And in doing so, protecting both consumers and the integrity of sports."

Referring to recent events in the UK, which Australian racing has sought to characterise as a problem for which Betfair is the cause rather than a possible solution, he said, "We have seen recent highprofile examples of the positive effects of these audit trails. They are an important tool in preventing and identifying those who would attempt to corrupt sport and defraud the betting public."

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

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