Untitled Document

Get the facts about your family tree from Genes Reunited, and dependant on your level of interest you can obtain either our Standard or Premier package. For full details, click the link below:

Genes Reunited

Silver Tankard goes to Gallic Star.

The highlight of today's Pontefract final race meeting of the current season went to Mick Channon's Gallic Star. The only filly in the field of eight runners, she bowled along behind the front running Tominator, and responded to the urgings of partner Chris Catlin in the final furlong, denying the gallant Tominator by a head, with Namecheck a further head adrift in third.

Aintree start season with interesting Old Roan renewal.

Twelve runners have today stood their ground for Saturday's Grade 2 Old Roan Chase at Aintree, and in what looks to be a potentially very interesting and informative encounter sees 2008 winner Nowhere and 2007 victor Monet's Garden facing up to Tom George's rising stars Nacarat and Tartak. Throw into the mix Howard Johnson's Tidal Bay following his summer breathing operation, and this year's two and a half mile race could provide important pointers to the major middle distance chases during the upcoming 2009 2010 national hunt season.

Lavelle confirms Crack Away Jack delay.

As we predicted in a previous news article, trainer Emma Lavelle will not run Crack Away Jack in his first novice chase at Tuesday's Exeter meeting. The ground at the south west course is considered too firm to risk the top class hurdler on his chasing bow, and it will now be dependant on the weather and underfoot conditions as to where he will receive his initial race over the larger obstacles.

Twenty four still in Racing Post Trophy.

At today's five day decleration stage, twenty four juveniles are still involved in Britain's last Group 1 of the flat season - The Racing Post Trophy, held at Doncaster this coming Saturday 24 October.

Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle battalians account for a quarter of the remaining entrants, with impressive Beresford Stakes winner St Nicholas Abbey and Royal Lodge Stakes winner Joshua Tree being his two high profile runners, but bearing in mind it was the much exposed Beethoven who won the Dewhurst Stakes this last Saturday, perhaps it could be the similarly exposed Air Chief Marshalls turn to step up to the plate in the Racing Post Trophy.

Peter Chapple Hyam still has the well regarded Coordinated Cut in the field, and his second string Morana showed he is no back number with a recent Group 3 success at Ascot.

Amongst the remaining entrants, Godolphin believe Al Zir is the best juvenile in their yard, and John Dunlop's Elusive Pimpernel has done everything right so far this season.

It is to be hoped, one of the fancied horses puts in a top class performance on Saturday, otherwise, we could head into the winter with no definite favourite for the 2010 Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.

Change of emphasis in Australia.

While Luca Cumani seems at a loss to explain the below par performance of Cima de Triomphe in the Caulfield Cup, he has decided his charge will by-pass the Melbourne Cup in favour of a run over the shorter trip of 2,000 metres offered by the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes on 31 October.

Both Godolphin and the Cumani stables are now switching their emphasis to their respective entrants in this week's Geelong Cup - Crime Scene and Basaltico - in the hope one, or both of them, will put in a strong enough performance to suggest they have a chance of winning the Melbourne Cup on 03 November.

Godolphin have not yet decided what to do with Caulfield Cup eighth Kirklees, but it has been suggested he may miss the Melbourne Cup in favour of a run in the Hong Kong Cup in December.

Elsewhere, Ebor runner up and former Aidan O'Brien inmate Changingoftheguard will have a spin for new trainer David Hayes on Thursday, and depending on how he performs in that gallop is to be the deciding factor in whether the three year old will take his chance in this year's Melbourne Cup, or whether he will be saved for an attempt on the race in 2010.

As a point of interest, Caulfield Cup winner Viewed has now received his penalty for that success, and it means he will attempt to win back to back Melbourne Cups as joint top weight with Efficient - both horses being allocated 58 kilograms, (approximately 9 stone 2 pounds).

Hughes to get ride if weather permits Askar Tau raid.

While Marcus Tregonning is pondering the weather forecast and potential ground conditions at Longchamp for Sunday's Prix Royal Oak, he has confirmed if Askar Tau does line up on Sunday, Richard Hughes will get his first ride on the Doncaster Cup winner since accompanying the horse in his maiden race in 2007. Discussing the situation, Tregonning advised,

"I am still not sure if Askar Tau will run on Sunday. He prefers good fast ground, and the forecast for this week suggests there could be considerable rain in Paris. But if he does run, we had to make a change in jockey because Ryam Moore is due to ride Sir Michael Stoute's Ask in the same race, and as Richard was available, I was happy to get his services organised as soon as possible."

Bradstock confirms Hennessy objective for Carruthers.

Partly owned by his ever popular father in law Lord Oaksey, the Mark Bradstock trained Carruthers proved himself a very useful novice chaser last season, winning at Fakenham and Ascot before finishing fourth in the Royal and Sun Alliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year.

In an interview today, Bradstock has indicated Carruthers is to be prepared for a run in next month's Hennessy Gold Cup, and providing the expected rain materialises this week, he will begin schooling over fences before having a preparation race in the early part of November.

"If anything, Carruthers has grown and developed since his novice chasing year, and providing he gets his preferred soft ground, I would expect him to pick up some good prizes this year, but the only way we will find out how good he is this season is to put him in against the best, and the plan is to start with the Hennessy."

Lynam now more hopeful of Duff invitation.

When Arabian Gleam put in a winning performance in Saturday's Group 2 Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, it was good news for trainer Edward Lynam, for it franked Duff's September victory over Arabian Gleam at Doncaster, and the trainer is now confident Duff will get an automatic invitation for the Hong Kong Mile in December, rather than having to go through the qualifiers in November. As Lynam pointed out,

"We deliberately avoided taking on Arabian Gleam and Ouqbaa again at Newmarket, as we wanted to keep Duff fresh for the Hong Kong Mile. I just hope the Hong Kong racing authorities think Duff has done enough to warrant an entry on merit, and we can take him their fresh and raring to go."

Queally to keep ride on Twice Over in Breeders Cup.

With connections now having decided to enter Champion Stakes winner Twice Over in the Breeders Cup Classic, trainer Henry Cecil has confirmed regular jockey Tom Queally will keep the ride in America.

Tom has enjoyed an excellent season, and his confidence seems to have transferred itself to Twice Over, so there is no way I am going to separate them for the Breeders Cup Classic."

Look Here likely to be retired.

Having put in a dismal run in Saturday's E P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada, the connections of 2008 Epsom Oaks winner Look Here are reported to be considering retiring the four year old to stud duties as a brood mare. The Ralph Beckett trained filly has never managed to recapture the winning thread in 2009, and her effort on Saturday suggested she may now be past her best on the track, but her Classic winning effort in 2008 will certainly ensure her stud progeny will be in demand.

Prendergast handing in his license.

Thirty year old trainer Kevin Prendergast has confirmed he is handing in his training license. The handler is blaming the current economic down-turn for his decision, saying,

"I have already seen several trainers ending up 'skint' due to the current problems in the economy, and I have no intention of joining them. At the moment, it is becoming harder and harder to obtain good quality owners, and to be honest, I can do without the aggravation. I'm not saying I will not think about training again when things pick up, but at the moment, I cannot see a future for the smaller trainer."

Tregonning thinks Mawatheeq could be the one.

Having let the dust settle after Mawatheeq's fine runner's up spot in Saturday's Champion Stakes, Marcus Tregonning has been sharing his thoughts on a possible 2010 campaign for his lightly raced four year old.

"He has continued to improve all season, and I know there is plenty more to come from him in the future. Nayef has undoubtedly been my best horse to date, but in my opinion, Mawatheeq has the potential to be even better, and if we can harness his true potential in 2010, I think he could win a handful of major races. Whatever way you look at it, he is a great asset to have in your stable for next season."

Catch Me likely to return to Cork for next outing.

Catch Me was a very smart hurdler in his native Ireland last season, and he started his novice chasing campaign with a two and a half length success in a Cork Maiden Chase on Sunday. Immediately after the race, trainer Edward O'Grady conceded his charge put in one or two sketchy jumps, but added,

"He will have needed that run, and at least having obtained some real experiience from an actual race, I am sure he will be more fluent next time." Suggesting Catch Me's next target, O'Grady said,

"There is a novice winners chase back at Cork in a fortnight, and providing he comes out of today's race with no ill effects, I suspect that is where we will go next."

Frankie breaks seasonal Group 1 duck on Schiaparelli.

Knowing his mount had won the corresponding race in 2007, right from the start of yesterday's Gran Premio del Jockey Club in Milan, Frankie Dettori seemed to have a set plan aboard Schiaparelli, and he took the six year old straight into the lead, and ensured the race became a test of stamina. Always in control of the pace, Dettori asked his mount for a final effort about two furlongs out, and Schiaparelli ran on gamely to score by a length and three quarters from Sant'Antonio.

It is hard to believe Frankie Dettori had failed to land a seasonal Group 1 success prior to yesterday's victory on Goodwood Cup winner Schiaparelli, but it proves Godolphin still have a long way to go if they are to catch up with top seasonal owners Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum and Coolmore.

Frankie hoping Al Zir can provide second Group 1 success.

Now having obtained his first Group 1 victory for the current season, Frankie Dettori is said to be very hopeful Al Zir will give him a second Group 1 success when he runs in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Discussing his chances at Doncaster after yesterday's win in Milan, Frankie said,

"Al Zir is certainly our best two year old, and I think he is a very exciting prospect. If he turns in what he is capable of in the Racing Post Trophy, I am very hopeful he will give me a second Group 1 win."

Connections now have dilemma over Aspectsoflove sale.

Prior to Sunday's win in the Listed Garnet Stakes at Naas, the John Oxx trained Aspectsoflove had been due to go to the Autumn Sales at Newmarket, but after defeating useful fillies She's Our Mark and Mad About You in yesterday's contest, connections are now understood to be having a rethink over their sale option, and it is now more likely Aspectsoflove will remain in training with Oxx for another year.

Celebrate your winnings, or commiserate with others with great wines & champagne’s:

Teco Wine

==================================

Archives: