ROWAYTON POISED FOR LISTED TEST ON SALISBURY RACECOURSE’S RICHEST DAY
Trainer James Bethell hopes that the once-raced Rowayton can make the leap from maiden success to Listed victory in the six-furlong £36,000 European Breeders’ Fund Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes (3.15pm) at Salisbury on Thursday, September 4.
The Lujain filly appeared destined for Royal Ascot in June after scoring an impressive two and three-quarter-length victory over Musical Bridge in a good quality five-furlong Redcar maiden on May 28, before injury intervened to scupper those plans.
The North Yorkshire handler revealed today: "The aim at the moment is to go to Salisbury for the European Breeders’ Fund Dick Pool Fillies’ Stakes. She needs two to come out to get a run.
"The original aim had been to send her to Royal Ascot but then she suffered a stress fracture after winning her maiden at Redcar, so we had to give her the time off and, touch wood, she’s back in form now.
"It’s quite a tough order stepping into Listed company but she’s a nice filly. It’s difficult to know if they’re in that class or not until you try it. Some of her form looks very good and Favourite Girl hasn’t done the form any harm recently so we’ll see."
Favourite Girl, fourth in the Redcar race, which has produced several winners, has won twice since and finished runner-up to Desert Phantom in the Listed Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy on August 25.
Bethell continued: "I would be worried if the ground got heavy but we’re hopeful of a nice run and Philip Robinson, who won on her, takes the ride again."
Rowayton could face stiff opposition in the classy contest, with the Barry Hills-trained Art Princess, runner-up in the Group Two Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket in July, among the entries.
In-form local trainer Richard Hannon could saddle Newbury maiden winner Ballyalla, Doughnut, Souter’s Sister and Windsor scorer Mamlakati, while Peter Winkworth may run the well-regarded Sandown winner Cut The Cackle.
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor could be represented by Suba, a three-parts sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Dubawi, who was third of 15 on her debut at Newbury last month.
The European Breeders’ Fund Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes has been won by some top-class fillies, notably the 2001 Group One Prix de l’Abbaye heroine Imperial Beauty, who took the spoils in 1998, and Crimplene, successful the following year before clinching a Group One hat-trick the following season. The 2001 victor Tashawak added the Group Two Falmouth Stakes, while 2004 heroine Suez took the runner-up berth in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket next time out.
The fantastic seven-race card is Salisbury’s most valuable fixture of 2008 and also features the £27,000 European Breeder’s Fund Lochsong Fillies’ Stakes (4.20pm). The seven-furlong handicap was won last year by the subsequent Listed race winner Perfect Star, trained by Clive Cox.
Persian Punch was one of the most popular racehorses of recent years and the former David Elsworth-trained stayer is commemorated by the £20,000 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Persian Punch Conditions Stakes (5.20pm) over a mile and three quarters. Henry Cecil won the race last year with Tranquil Tiger and could saddle Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes runner-up Templestern, while the progressive Askar Tau could also line up alongside the likes of Metaphoric, Munsef, Young Mick and Godolphin’s Eastern Anthem.
Racing commences at 2.10pm with the £5,000 Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap over a mile and the day also includes the £7,250 European Breeders’ Fund Novice Stakes (2.40pm), the £10,000 European Breeders’ Fund Quidhampton Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (3.45pm) and the £5,000 Sydenhams Handicap (4.50pm).
As is the case at every Salisbury fixture, a giant screen will be in place to ensure racegoers miss none of the thrilling action on the track.
Thursday’s meeting is Salisbury’s penultimate of the season with the finale on Wednesday, October 1, set to bring the curtain down on another year of tremendous sport and entertainment at the Wiltshire course.
Admission Prices: Day Member £18; Tattersalls Enclosure £11; Course Enclosure £6; Accompanied children under 16 are admitted free and all car parking is free. Tickets can be booked online for a 10% discount at www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk
The going at Salisbury is currently good to firm, good in places. Between 2mm and 5mm of rain is forecast tonight, with sunshine and showers forecast up to Thursday.
BRIGHTWELLS UNVEIL EXCITING PLANS FOR CHELTENHAM SALE RING
Auctioneers Brightwells today unveiled plans for a £1-million state-of-the-art sale ring at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Work has started on site and the exciting new sale ring will be completed early next year.
Brightwells have sole selling rights at Cheltenham Racecourse for the next 25 years and will finance the sale ring which will adjoin the stable block end of the main grandstand opposite The Centaur building.
The pavilion-type auction ring, which will also be used as a public facility at Cheltenham’s race meetings, has been designed by acclaimed architects Limbrick Limited, whose work for Jockey Club Racecourses includes The Centaur and the new Grandstand at Epsom Downs under construction.
Terry Court, Joint Managing Director of Brightwells, said today: “The new auction ring demonstrates our commitment to make Cheltenham Racecourse one of the country’s top sales venues and follows our initial £200,000 investment. This included the new Ecotrack surface that has been so well received by the industry.
“We are all extremely excited by this fantastic opportunity and most grateful to the Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse for their confidence in choosing us as partners."
Brightwells will hold one further sale this year in The Centaur at Cheltenham, the Premier National Hunt Breeze Up Sale on Friday, December 12. The sales calendar will expand from next year when the new sale ring is completed.
Brightwells’ sales at Cheltenham have achieved great success by focusing on high quality bloodstock, thus producing excellent returns for vendors and an exceptionally high percentage of winners for new owners.
The 2008 April Sale saw a world record average price for National Hunt horses of £52,014, with turnover in excess of £3.5m.
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