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Tartan Bearer participation in jeopardy.
Connections of recent Gordon Richards Stakes winner Tartan Bearer are having serious reservations about his participation in Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. The soft underfoot conditions, and unsettled forecast is set to produce the kind of soft to heavy ground which will make Tartan Bearer's involvement a major doubt.
Oxx discusses running plans in ATR interview.
In today's wide ranging interview with At The Races, trainer John Oxx confirmed Rayeni came through his gallop this morning with flying colours, and will now represent the stable in Saturday's Boylesports 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh. Oxx did comment on the fact Rayeni has not run since winning a Group 3 last October,
"I know he has not had much racing, and Saturday's race is a step up in class for him, but most of my horses are as fit as I can get them in training at home, and if he is good enough, he should be there abouts".
Arazan, who was the handler's first choice for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, has rcovered from his recent temperature and virus, and is now back in training. Speaking about his plans for the three year old, Oxx said,
"He was a bit sluggish when we got him back on the gallops, but he is now showing improvement. If I can get him ready in time, the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot would be his most likely target".
Oxx also confirmed, subject to no last minute hitches, Stan James 2,000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars is in fine form , and will be totally fit when running in the Epsom Derby on 06 June.
The trainer also gave the most positive indication yet that the relatively inexperienced Beauty O'Gwaun would be given the chance to show her abilities in the Epsom Oaks.
Punchestown gets green light.
Following this morning''s 10.00 am precautionary inspection at Punchestown, this evening's card has been given the green light. This will be good news for Henry de Bromhead, as he was keen to give Sizing Europe his first test over fences in tonight's Beginners Chase on the planned seven race card.
Ascot seeking Sacred Kingdom.
As soon as Hong Kong flying machine Sacred Kingdom landed the Krisflyer Sprint in Singapore this last Sunday, officials from Ascot have been in contact with connections in an attempt to lure the new far east champion sprinter over for the Royal Ascot meeting.
There is no doubt the Golden Jubilee and Kings Stand Stakes have been elevated in world terms in recent years, thanks mainly to the policy of attracting the world's best sprinters to compete against one another, and a potential clash between Sacred Kingdom, Overdose - the Budapest Bullet, and top sprinters from Australia, America and Europe, will ensure television coverage and interest throughout the horse racing countries of the world.
Soul City could become the most profitable three year old in training.
Having already won owner Patrick Fahey a fortune when finishing in first place in last year's Goffs Million contest in Ireland, the Richard Hannon trained Soul City stands to pick up another million euros if he wins this weekend's Boylesports 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Part of the conditions of the Goffs race involves the sponsors guaranteeing to pay out another million if the Goffs Millions winner goes on to win a Classic in the following season.
It goes without saying, Goffs officials will be easily identifiable if Soul City is in front on the line on Saturday, for while every one else is celebrating or commiserating, they will be the one's standing perfectly still with ashen faces.
Ascot announce international team for Shergar Cup.
The team format of the Shergar Cup has established the event as one of the leading highlights of the Ascot flat racing season, and today, Ascot officials have made the announcement of the three jockeys who will represent the international team in this year's contest on 08 August.
Team captain will be Dubai based Ahmed Ajtebi, seen to best advantage when riding two of the winning horses in this year's Dubai World Cup Meeting in March. He has a huge fan club, and is sure to be well supported during this year's Shergar Cup.
Ahmed is joined by Japanese jockey Hiroyuki Uchida, who apart from finishing as runner up to Yutake Take in last season's Japanese jockey's title race, also holds the record for the number of winners scored in Japan in a single season - a remarkable 524 victories which he scored in 2006.
The third member of the team will be twelve time Indian champion jockey Malesh Narredu. This first ever representative of the sub-continent has ridden a total of 41 Group 1 victories and 53 Classic's in his home country, and is one of the most celebrated jockey's in the far east horseracing circuit.
It is understood the three jockeys will be royally treated while staying in Ascot's London partner hotel - The Ritz, but with such phenomenal experience and ability at their disposal, the other teams will hope they become too comfortable in their London base, and therefore fail to show their abilities on the day.
Greenlands could prove very imformative.
This coming Saturday's Greenlands Sprint Stakes at the Curragh could provide information on the six furlong sprinter to follow in top class races during the remainder of the season. Currently, Duke of York winner Utmost Respect still holds an entry, but trainer Richard Fahey will only run his sprint star if he feels he has fully recovered from his exertions at York.
Bush Ranger was the winner of the Middle Park Stakes and Prix Morny in his juvenile year, but instead of being moved up to middle distance trips, connections have decided to concentrate on a sprint campaign for their three year old. If he has trained on, Bush Ranger has the potential class to become a top rated sprinter, so this first run over six furlongs will be anxiously anticipated.
Formerly with Mark Wallace, Benbaun is a Curragh course specialist, and based on his first run for new trainer Kevin Ryan, he still retains his ability, and will be a tough nut to crack on the Curragh six furlong course.
Tri Equestrian Stakes could host Spacious seasonal debut.
Last year's 1,000 Guineas runner up Spacious was a little disappointing in her subsequent runs last season, but handler James Fanshawe is hopeful she has filled out her frame, and will show a lot more ability this year. Although a little worried about the current soft going at the Curragh, Fanshawe is likely to give Spacious her seasonal debut in this Saturday's Tri Equestrian Stakes.
Jim Bolger's multiple pattern race winner Lush Lashes, and Kevin Prendergast's Beach Bunny, the latter having already had a run this season, are both entered in the Tri Equestrian, but they may both opt for their other entry in Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup. If this does become the situation, then Spacious could well start as favourite for Saturday's race.
Wachman confident Again will line-up.
With the prevailing weather conditions favouring soft goind for this weekend's two day Irish Guineas Meeting at the Curragh, trainer David Wachman is confident his three year old filly, Again, who missed the Stan James 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket due to the firm racing surface, will line-up for Sunday's Boylesports 1,000 Guineas, as the racing surface will be far moresuited to her racing action.
Worcester delighted to be racing.
After nine months of frustration, Worcester racecourse will tomorrow stage their first race meeting on their repaired and rejuvenated track. In recent years, the course has had to suffer the after effects of flooding by the River Severn, and although officials appreciate this is the consequence of a historic river side location, they are hoping for the next few years, the much touted global warming actually materialises sufficiently to prevent any future flooding in the South West of England.
Presvis unlikely competitor in Breeders Cup Classic.
Although he has recently picked up large sums of prize money by winning in Hong Kong, and finishing second in Singapore on Sunday last, Luca Cumani has reported Presvis is an unlikely runner in this year's Breeders Cup Classic, as connections are reluctant to pay the one hundred thousand dollar entry fee for the Santa Anita race.
Rematch not certain for Belmont Stakes.
Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby winners Rachel Alexandra and Mind That Bird occupied the first two positions in last Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico, but although Mind That Bird is a confirmed runner in the third leg of the American Triple Crown, connections of Rachel Alexandra have not yet confirmed she will participate in the one mile four furlong Belmont Stakes in New York on 06 June.
In an interesting move which could suggest a lot about future running plans, Calvin Borel, who rode Rachel Alexandra to success last weekend, has already been booked to replace jockey Mike Smith on Mind That Bird in the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
Macmanus pledges to celebrate all future victories.
While picking up two prizes at yesterday's Anglo Irish National Hunt Awards, renowned owner J P Macmanus spoke candidly about how his Prostate cancer diagnosis had changed his thinking about future winners,
"I intend to savour and celebrate every winner from now on. I am lucky enough to own a lot of horses in a sport I love, and I intend to make the most of my fortunate position while I still can".
Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with fine wines & champagne’s:
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