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Genes Reunited

Pavershooz continues improvement at Ayr.

The Noel Wilson trained Pavershooz added another valuable prize to his tremendous record this season when defeating Irish raider Just Tell Mary by a length and a half in this afternoon's Giles Insurance Stakes at Ayr.

Pavershooz has now risen from obscurity at the start of the season to snatch valuable prizes at Musselburgh, Newcastle, and now Ayr, and if he continues this progression, he could be one to follow if he returns to Ayr for the Gold Cup later in the season.

Wilson's day got better when Ingleby Star landed the following race at today's sprint only meeting, and Wilson showed he is becoming a master of the shorter distances when his Hotham only missed out on a third victory by a head.

Karl Burke currently faces twelve month ban from racing.

The British Horseracing Authority Disciplinary Panel this afternoon issued their judgement on Middleham trainer Karl Burke's involvement in the race fixing charges brought against him in conjunction with jockeys Darren Williams, Fergal Lynch, and former owner Miles Rogers. The verdict made bad reading for Burke, for subject to any appeal, he has been disqualified from racing for twelve months, his penalty due to commence on 28 July 2009.

Up to the above date, Burke has the right to appeal either the decision of the BHA, or the severity of the sentence imposed against him in relation to the charges.

The decision could not have come at a worse time for Burke, for he is enjoying a good season, capped by a recent Group 1 success in France for his leading three year old Lord Shanakill.

However, if as seems likely, he was involved in race fixing with his co-accused, the trainer has no one to blame but himself for his present predicament, and the potential twelve month ban will almost certainly end his career as a high profile trainer in horse racing.

Utmost Respect lost to peritonitis.

A simple operation to remove gravel from a foot has led to the loss of top class sprinter Utmost Respect. As a result of the operation the five year old winner of this year's Group 2 Duke of York Stakes contracted peritonitis, and unfortunately succumbed to the system wide infection on Sunday night.

Understandably, connections including trainer Richard Fahey are devastated, and racing has lost a top class sprinter who was just coming into his prime.

Zarkava plan for Stacelita.

Trainer Jean Claude Rouget is hoping his unbeaten three year old filly Stacelita can follow the same route to Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe success as that used by super filly Zarkava last season.

Like Zarkava, Stacelita was a good winner of the Prix de Diane at Chantilly, and the trainer is now hoping his charge can also land the Prix Vermeilles Arc Trial at Longchamp in September, before going on to victory in the Arc itself in October.

Nearly horses should not be overlooked.

Although at today's five day decleration stage Aidan O'Brien has four horses still entered in Saturday's Betfair sponsered King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes; Freemantle, Rockhampton, Frozen Fire and Golden Sword, it is the latter horse who should not be overlooked. Although beaten in all but one of three front running performances this season, Golden Sword has been there or thereabouts in two Derbys, and if he is given too much of a lead as the field enter the straight on Saturday, he could take some pegging back. Bearing in mind, Aidan O'Brien has won this race in the last two years with Dylan Thomas and Duke of Marmalade, the one thing which is certain, Golden Sword will be fit for the race.

When it comes to Sir Michael Stoute's trio, Conduit and Tartan Bearer are well fancied, but everyone seems to be ignoring the fact Ask has already won twice this season, including Epsom's Coronation Cup over the same distance as Saturday's race at Ascot, and in our book, he is not a horse to be completely ignored over Saturday's stiff course.

Wachman to wait until autumn with Again.

Having decided soft underfoot conditions are the key to his Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Again, trainer David Wachman has decided, unless opportunities present themselves on soft ground during the summer months, he will keep his three year old Classic winner in reserve for a campaign during the autumn months.

Millman hoping for success at Goodwood.

Rod Millman is hopeful his Roi de Vitesse can improve on his second behind Silver Grecian in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, and the handler is targeting the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood for his consistant top class two year old. Speaking today, Millman said,

"We could go to Ascot on Saturday, but that represents a drop in class, and I believe he is a genuine Group 2 performer at his best, and the seven furlong trip of the Veuve Clicquot at Goodwood would seem to be the ideal option for his next run".

Ground worries for Caracciola.

Twelve year old flat racing star Caracciola, who became the oldest horse to win at Royal Ascot when landing this year's Queen Alexandra Stakes in all conquering style, is due to swop from the care of the temporarily suspended Nicky Henderson to Barry Hills at the end of this week. Hills is then hoping to run the veteran in the Group 2 Coutts Goodwood Cup on Thursday week, but more rain forecast for the middle of this week is creating doubts over his potential run. Speaking earlier today, owner Piers Pottinger commented,

"Although he acts on easy ground he is far better on a fast surface, and if conditions become unsuitable, he may not run at Goodwood."

Moore coming around to Conduit.

Despite the debate in this morning's Racing Post about Ryan Moore's riding plans for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this Saturday, we understand Moore is about ninety per cent certain to ride anti post favourite Conduit rather than stable companion Tartan Bearer.

Arabian Gleam being aimed at third consecutive Park Stakes victory.

In many respects Arabian Gleam is a bit of an enigma. In his first race this season, the lightly raced five year old finished well behind Main Aim and Beacon Lodge, both of whom have run well since, but in his other run, he finished down the field behind Paco Boy in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, when he gets to the DFS Park Stakes at Doncaster in September, he seems to become a different horse, having won the race in 2007 and 2008. With this in mind, connections are nowreported to be preparing him to complete a hat trick of victories in the Group 2 on 12 September, and certainly, without the burden of his usual Group 2 penalty, he must already be pencilled in on the short list of potential winners of this particular race.

Murphy uncertain of injury lay-off.

Timmy Murphy is now contemplating an indeterminate injury lay-off from riding following his unseating from the David Elsworth trained Highland River at the first flight of yesterday's Clovelly Lifeboat Juvenile Novice Hurdle at Newton Abbot. David Pipe's stable jockey dislocated his shoulder in the incident, and he will now have to wait and see how long it takes for his muscle damage to repair before he can contemplate a return to the saddle.

Moriarty quitting in favour of further education.

One time leading apprentice jockey Jamie Moriarty is to end his current riding career at the end of the month, and he is expected to return to his native Ireland where he will start a further education course at the start of the autumn term.

Wiles moves Miko de Beauchene.

Following a relatively disappointing campaign in 2008 2009, owner Andrew Wiles has decided to move former Welsh Grand National winner Miko de Beauchene from the stable of Richard and Sally Alnner, to the yard of Grand National winning trainer Venetia Williams.

Shergar Cup to have new format in 2010.

It appears the 2009 Shergar Cup will be the last to use the format of jockeys from three distinct geographical areas of the world. Based on information from Ascot racecourse, in 2010, the competition will change, and will be made up of teams of professional jockeys which will include an all ladies team, plus a team of veteran riders.