WALL PAIR AIMING FOR STARLIT - CALDRA SET FOR STARDOM
Ashdown Express shared the spoils in the £30,000 Listed Sporting Index Starlit Stakes (4.30pm) at Goodwood in 2005, and trainer Chris Wall will again saddle the high-class speedster in the six-furlong contest at the West Sussex course on Saturday, September 9, alongside stablemate Paradise Isle.
Ashdown Express came with his trademark late flourish to dead-heat with Moss Vale in the Sporting Index Starlit Stakes 12 months ago, and the Group One Darley July Cup third is on course to attempt an outright victory this time, following a respectable eighth of 17 in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, France, on August 6.
Wall revealed today: "We hope Ashdown Express can go even better than last year. He should have shed his Listed race penalty for this race, which obviously is a help to him, and he'll be in the race carrying the same weight he did last year."
Paradise Isle defeated subsequent dual Group One winner Les Arcs by a short-head when landing the Group Three Abernant Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket in April, and the five-year-old mare added a Haydock Listed event in June.
The trainer commented: "Paradise Isle has won two races this year, so anything we win with her from now on will be a bonus. I'm pleased with the condition of both horses and if they show their form they'll run well.
"All being well, they both head to Goodwood in good shape. They haven't run for a month because they could have run in the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock if the ground hadn't been so wet. They both like decent ground and, if the forecast is correct, they should get that this weekend. Fingers crossed, they both go there in good shape."
Weather permitting, the 2004 Vodafone Stewards' Cup winner, Pivotal Point, may take his chance in the six-furlong contest, which is one of two Listed races to be staged on the seven-race card on day one of Goodwood Racecourse's popular two-day Community and Countryside meeting on Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10.
The six-year-old's trainer, Peter Makin, explained today: "Pivotal Point is a possible runner but he's more likely to go to France on Sunday. If the ground came soft in France he would go to Goodwood, so I'm keeping my options open.
"The French race is a Group Three and there's a small entry. He's very well and I'll know more in a day or two."
The Sporting Index Starlit Stakes has attracted a classy 18-strong entry, including the Kevin Ryan-trained Desert Lord, who could attempt to improve on his second-place finish behind La Cucaracha in the Group Three Audi Stakes over five furlongs at the Festival Meeting on August 3, while Assertive, second in a six-furlong Newmarket Listed race on August 26, may return to the scene of his third-place finish behind Iffraaj in the seven-furlong Group Two Betfair Cup.
Other possibles include Group One winners Fayr Jag and Donna Blini, as well as Eisteddfod, Andronikos, Tawaassol and the Dandy Nicholls-trained Tax Free.
The other high-quality Listed contest on the card, the Sporting Index Stardom Stakes (2.50pm), over a mile for two-year-olds, carries prize money of £25,000 and has attracted a strong entry including the Sylvester Kirk-trained pair, Caldra and Worldly.
Caldra made his debut at Goodwood in May when second in the six-furlong bet@bluesquare.com For Exclusive Live Show Prices EBF Maiden Stakes, before taking a seven-furlong Salisbury maiden, ahead of a fine half-length second to Drumfire in the Group Three Iveco Daily Solario Stakes at Sandown on August 26.
Kirk revealed today: "It's yet to be decided which one runs, and I have to speak to both owners, but I think it will probably be Caldra.
"He ran a blinder last time and is really well. It is a bit soon to be running him back up after a Group race but he's in great form and I don't think it's taken that much out of him."
Worldly was second to subsequent Listed race winner Streets Ahead on his debut at Salisbury and then scored an easy success over an extended mile on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton on August 30.
The Lambourn trainer reported: "I'll sit down and see what we do with Worldly if he misses Goodwood. I don't mind dropping back in trip and I have something like the Somerville Tattersall Stakes at Newmarket as a possibility for him."
The Sporting Index Stardom Stakes has attracted 17 entries, including the smart Mark Johnston quartet of Champery, Dubai's Touch, Kirklees and Middleham, alongside the Kevin Ryan-trained Gweebarra, runner-up in the Group Three Acomb Stakes at York on August 22.
William Muir could saddle recent Sandown maiden winner Big Robert, while Iveco Daily Solario Stakes fourth, Norisan, may line up alongside John Gosden's Group Two Weatherbys Superlative Stakes fourth, Rallying Cry, and Spanish Hidalgo, winner of his last two starts for John Dunlop.
Saturday's card commences at 2.20pm with the highly-competitive TurfTrax Handicap over seven furlongs, which has attracted 25 entries, headed by the James Fanshawe-trained top-weight, Polar Magic, winner of the Goodwood Aero Club Handicap over the course and distance in May.
The EBF Community Day Maiden Stakes (4.00pm) has a large entry of 36, and may be permitted to divide if necessary.
Seamus Buckley, Goodwood's Clerk of the Course, today reported the ground to be good.
He said: "We had six millimetres of rain last weekend and the going is good with a goingstick reading of 8.1. There is the possibility of light showers on Thursday but otherwise it is meant to be dry.
"The ground is drying out and if this continues we will put some water on to maintain good going."
HAYDOCK PARK APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR
Dickon White has been appointed the new managing director of Haydock Park Racecourse with effect from 1st October - a significant promotion through the RHT group of racecourses.
For the past eight years, Dickon who is 35 years old, has worked at Aintree Racecourse, latterly as Commercial Director. Previously, he held key positions in marketing and PR at Green Flag and Coral Bookmakers.
Bill Whittle, the Chairman of Haydock Park, said: "I am delighted that Dickon will be joining us and congratulate him warmly on his appointment. He has a wealth of commercial and management experience gained within the horseracing industry which will enable us to progress with our plans to develop further as a top class racecourse and an events and leisure venue.
Dickon, who came into racing via the British Horseracing Board's graduate development programme said, "I am delighted to be joining Haydock Park's team as managing director. The course is renowned for its quality of racing and facilities which consistently attract large attendances. I am looking forward to ensuring that Haydock Park remains one of the most progressive racecourses in the country."
He added: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board and team at Aintree who have supported and encouraged me throughout my time there."
Charles Barnett, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, said: "We are sorry to be losing Dickon, and are grateful for what he has done at Aintree over the past eight years, however, we wish him well with his new appointment within the group."
GREG NICHOLS JOINS BETFAIR
Former BHB boss to take international role
Betfair is delighted to announce that Greg Nichols, the former Chief Executive Officer of the British Horseracing Board (BHB), has joined the company.
Greg's role, as Managing Director (Sporting Affairs), will have an international focus although he will be based in London, where he spent the last four years successfully heading up the British racing industry.
Before joining the BHB, Greg was General Manager of the racing operation for Racing Victoria and his appointment reinforces Betfair's strong commitment to horseracing.
In his new position, he will help to develop the company's relationships with racing and other sporting regulatory and governing authorities around the globe.
"I'm delighted to be joining Betfair and excited by my new role, encompassing as it does all sports as well as racing," said Greg.
"The company has always impressed me with its commitment to innovation and customer service, and its ambitious commercial strategy is immensely exciting. I'll be working with sporting regulators and governing bodies around the world to highlight the opportunities Betfair offers."
David Yu, Chief Executive Officer of Betfair, welcomed the new appointment: "Greg led the British Racing industry with great skill, tirelessly working with passion, energy and enthusiasm in what were often adverse circumstances.
"In his new position he will be working in often challenging regulatory environments. Greg will help us expand our relationships with horseracing and other sports governing bodies as Betfair continues its international growth," said David.
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