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Saturday 9 May 2009

Trainer hopes to turn tables on Fame And Glory

Fresh from saddling Sea The Stars to victory in the Group One stanjames.com 2000 Guineas, trainer John Oxx is set to unleash another potential Investec Derby hopeful, Mourayan, in the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown tomorrow.

The Aga Khan’s son of Alhaarth was a half-length second to his Classic-winning stablemate in the mile Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in September and ended his juvenile campaign with a comfortable victory in a nine-furlong Listed contest at Leopardstown at the start of November.

The three-year-old colt returned to action at the same course in the 10-furlong Group Three Ballysax Stakes on April 19, when he was a close third behind Fame And Glory, with Fergus McIver in second.

All three horses are set to put their Investec Derby credentials on the line again in tomorrow’s 10-furlong race, which has previously been won by the Oxx-trained Sinndar (2000), and the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002), who all went on to victory in racing’s Blue Riband.

Oxx said: “I think that the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial will tell us whether Mourayan is a serious Investec Derby horse or not. He was a promising two-year-old and ran a promising race on his return in the Ballysax Stakes.

“I think Sunday’s race will be a bit of a re-hash of the Ballysax Stakes, with us taking on Fame And Glory again. I thought that we were a bit unlucky not to beat Fergus McIver last time out and I would be disappointed if Mourayan didn’t get the better of him this time around.

“He got caught in on the rail in the Ballysax Stakes and had to let everything get past. The race was over by the time he got out but he flew home and he should have been in a photo with the winner at the least.

“We have to hope that he has come on for that run but I am sure that Fame And Glory will have come on for the race as well. It will be interesting to see where they fit in with each other.

“His half-brother, Mourilyan, was a slow starter but this fellow is a better horse than him and it was just circumstances that went against him in the Ballysax Stakes.

“Mourayan is a better horse and he is certainly less exasperating to watch - he doesn’t drop himself out and fly home. Mourilyan was a bit of a more one-dimensional horse but Mourayan has more class about him.

“Tarankali has been declared as a possible pacemaker. You wouldn’t expect him to be in the first three, but you still need a decent horse to set a good gallop. Aidan O’Brien has a couple of horses as well and between us we should ensure a decent gallop.

“We are hoping that he runs well enough to be a possible runner at Epsom and everything has gone well with his preparation for the race. He would really need to be fighting out the finish with Fame And Glory for us to pursue our Investec Derby plans.”

While Mourayan has yet to cement his place in the Investec Derby, Oxx already looks to have a strong contender in the race courtesy of Sea The Stars, who stormed to victory over the Rowley Mile last weekend. The Cape Cross colt will now head to Epsom Downs.

Oxx added: “Sea The Stars has come out of the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas in good shape and he seems fresh and well this week. Everything is fine with him and we will go straight to Epsom with him now.”

The Group Two totesport.com Dante Stakes, run at York on Thursday has proved to be the most informative Investec Derby trial in recent years, with North Light (2004), Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007) winning on the Knavesmire and following up at Epsom Downs.

A total of 15 colts have been entered for the extended 10-furlong contest, headed by Crowded House, who stormed to an emphatic victory in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October for trainer Brian Meehan.

A quartet of entries from O’Brien includes High Chaparral’s full-brother Black Bear Island and 10-length Tipperary maiden victor Freemantle, while Her Majesty the Queen’s Free Agent could make his seasonal reappearance after a bruised foot ruled him out of his intended engagement at Chester this week.

Kite Wood is set to make his debut for Godolphin following an impressive juvenile campaign for trainer Michael Jarvis that culminated with victory in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Ascot in October, while other Investec Derby hopefuls who could bid to further their Epsom claims in the totesport.com Dante Stakes include Native Ruler, Sans Frontieres and Glass Harmonium. The last-named represents the same owner/trainer combination, Sir Michael Stoute and Ballymacoll Stud, as last year’s York winner Tartan Bearer who went on to finish second to New Approach in the premier Classic at Epsom Downs.

A weekend of important Classic trials includes today’s Group Three totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield today.

Last season’s Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud fourth Age Of Aquarius makes his seasonal reappearance in the extended 11-furlong contest and the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt is set to face tough competition from Alwaary, Father Time, Montaff and Sumbe, who all hold entries in the Investec Derby.

The first two Classics of the French season take place at Longchamp tomorrow, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, over a mile.

Investec Derby entries Born To Be King, Shaweel, Vocalised and Westphalia will try and enhance their Epsom claims in the former.

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Thursday 7 May 2009

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Perfect Truth received quotes of 25-1 for the Investec Oaks after her victory in the Cheshire Oaks on Wednesday. Jockey Johnny Murtagh said: "You can only beat what is in front of you, and she will stay the distance ridden with more restraint."

Sir Michael Stoute cautioned that runner-up Phillipina is not likely to run at Epsom.

John Oxx is looking forward to running Arazan in the Irish 2000 Guineas. The trainer told At The Races: "We were keen to run Arazan at Newmarket and he'd been going very well at home and we would have expected a good run. He may well go on fast ground in due course but we didn't want to chance him on that and run the risk of jarring him up before the season had even started.

"With the Irish 2000 Guineas only three weeks later it didn't make sense to risk it. That'll be where he goes and we'll see how he runs, it will be a good race and there are a few good horses that didn't make Newmarket so it will be a tough race.

"We like him, he's a good horse, he was a very good two-year-old. I didn't think he ran up to form in the National Stakes when he was third so hopefully he'll be there in the shake up.

"Sea The Stars' run gives us a bit of hope because they work nicely together and over a mile we didn't think there would be much between them."

Barry Hills plans to run his unbeaten Feilden Stakes winner Redwood in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York next Thursday.

"Redwood will go to the Dante. He does have some talent, this horse, and the Dante will give us a good idea of how much," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

Sir Michael Stoute is planning to run The Queen's unbeaten filly Enticement in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York next Wednesday. The Montjeu filly beat 1000 Guineas third Super Sleuth in a Listed race last autumn and is reported to have wintered well.

Sir Michael Stoute's lightly raced Harbinger earned Derby quotes of 25-1 after winning the Hull City A.F.C Premier Dream Maiden Stakes at Chester on Wednesday.

Stoute said: "I'm very pleased with him. He's travelled well and picked up nicely. He had a hold-up last season which means he's short on experience. We'll have to stop and think and see where we go.

"I'm not going to make a plan now and I truly don't know about the Derby as he's short on experience, which is the problem."

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Wednesday 6 May 2009

It is possible that Paco Boy could drop back in trip from a mile. The four-year-old featres among the entries for the Darley July Cup, and Derek Lucie-Smith, a member of the Calvera Partnership which owns the Richard Hannon-trained four-year-old, commented: “The Darley July Cup is a possibility for Paco Boy at the moment, although we are focusing on the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (May 16) at the moment. We will see how he gets on there before deciding whether to stick with him over a mile.

“We actually consider him to be better over seven furlongs as opposed to a mile and we would consider running him over a stiff six furlongs. The July Course would suit that option well, particularly if there was some ease in the ground.

“We thought he won the Sandown Mile in good style, especially as he was the first horse to win the race under a penalty since 1993. It took him about 10 days to get over his Dubai trip - he had a bit of a rough time over there and coming back - so we gave him the run at Sandown.

“He wasn’t 100% on that occasion, but he wasn’t far off. It was more a question of giving the owners a confidence booster rather than the horse!”

The Luca Cumani-trained Fantasia has been made the odds-on favourite for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on Sunday, but Cumani accepts she faces strong opposition inthe race. He told the Daily Mail: "She's in good form, but there are three very nice French fillies in the race and it's not going to be easy. I don't think she should be a short-priced favourite because she hasn't done anything yet."

The home defence is headed by Elusive Wave, Proportional and Tamazirte.

Kasbah Bliss has been scratched from the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and will be given a break by trainer Francois Doumen. Since his emphatic win at Haydock in February, the gleding has disappointed twice, both over hurdles and on the Flat.

Fleeting Spirit will run in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot without a prep race. Trainer Jeremy Noseda told www.jeremynoseda.com: "We have had a discussion and decided to head straight to the King's Stand with Fleeting Spirit. We felt that as she put up such a huge effort first time out last season, we would keep her in reserve to make her first start of this season at Ascot. It is a positive decision to take that course of action. She has just done her first easy piece of work and I am very happy with her."

Johnny Murtagh is looking forward to a bug run from Ballysax Stakes winner Fame And Glory in the Derrinstwon Derby Trial. The jockey told PA Sport: "He is a very solid horse and we are expecting a good run in the Derrinstown. He is a lovely horse with a lovely temperament.

"He ran a blinder in the Ballysax when I thought he might just need the race and be vulnerable. He now has a run under his belt and Aidan's horses have been needing their runs more so than ever this year. They are all fit but need to put in a bit of sharpness.

"We have a lot of nice, unexposed three-year-olds and then there are Fame And Glory and Mastercraftsman who were Group One winners as juveniles. With Chester, Lingfield and York over the next couple of weeks, the picture will become clearer."

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Tuesday 5 May 2009

The Aga Khan has a smart two-year-old on his hands in the form of Pivotal colt Siyouni, who dominated his ten rivals in the Prix des Nouveautes at Longchamp on Monday, making all to win by a length and a half. The Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is under consideration.

The Jeremy Noseda-trained Forgotten Voice could be bound for the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot following his win in the williamhill.com - Choosing Chelsea? Jubilee Handicap at Kempton on Monday, where he quickened with authority to win by three lengths.

Noseda said: "Thank God he'll have learned for the future and will mature into his job. The Hunt Cup might be on our minds, yes. He's only had the one run at the trip but he's ready to go up another level. His two races on the all-weather have been ideal for him at their particular point of his education."

Another bound for Royal Ascot could be Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Martyr, who posted an improved effort on a faster surface to win the OMM Print Handicap at Windsor.

Trainer Richard Hannon said: "Martyr has improved a lot for his first run at Newbury, and we might have a look at the Duke of Edinburgh Handicap at Royal Ascot. His owners, the Highclere Thoroughbred team, did well at the meeting last year, and they love runners there."

Hannon has news of 1000 Guineas sixth, Tobougg filly Penny's Gift who looks set to run over a shorter trip at Glorious Goodwood. Hannon told his website richardhannon.tv: "I thought for a second that Hughesie (Richard Hughes) had nicked it on the outside. But the mile just found out Penny's Gift, and she tired in the last 100 yards. She was only beaten a head and a nose for fourth, so it was a cracking effort. We won't discount the mile races, but she could be one for the Oak Tree Stakes over seven furlongs at Glorious Goodwood."

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Desert Creek bolted up in the Wycombe Wanderers FC Handicap at Windsor, and could now head to the Britannia Handicap.

Rae Guest is to return last year's Cheveley Park Stakes winner Serious Attitude to sprinting after her seventh in the 1000 Guineas.

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Monday 4 May 2009

Aspen Darlin, who flew the flag so well for her then freshman sire Indian Haven last year, has been retired from racing after picking up an injury when being pulled up in yesterday's 1000 Guineas.

"The tendon came over the hock and she won't race again, but she will be OK for breeding," trainer Alan Bailey told PA Sport. "It's very sad, but these things happen, and I am just so pleased she didn't have to be put down as, when I saw the canvasses go up on the racecourse, I had a terrible feeling.

Many observers thought Rip Van Winkle ran a fine trial for the Derby when fourth in the 2000 Guineas on Saturdya, but jockey Johnny Murtagh is not sure that the Galileo colt will stay a mile and a half.

"He stayed on nicely and it was his first run - there is improvement there - and I don't think an extra two furlongs would harm," Murtagh told At The Races.

"Newmarket is not the most straightforward track and I don't think he handled it that great. He has a great cruising speed, but I don't know if he'd stay a mile and a half. I'll leave it to Aidan."

1000 Guineas winner Ghanaati looks set to run next in the Group One Coronation Stakes over a mile at Royal Ascot. The thrice-raced filly received quotes for the Oaks after her Classic win, but connections do not think the daughter of Giant's Causeway will get a mile and a half.

Trainer Barry Hills said: "I have always thought she is very good and I was hoping for a very big run. She is in the Oaks and we will have to talk to Sheikh Hamdan and his racing manager Angus Gold, but I really don't know where she will go after this.

"It is too early to say about the Breeders' Cup but at the back of my mind I could see her winning the Champion Stakes, although there a few more races before that."

Sheikh Hamdan said: "I do not think she will stay a mile and a half. She has now won a Guineas and I don't see much point in winning another, so she will maybe go for the Coronation."

John Gosden blamed the quick ground for Rainbow View's failure to quicken in fifth. He said: "I have to be honest with you, if she wasn't the odds-on favourite I probably wouldn't have run her. I think she will go for the Oaks but she is in the Irish Guineas and if she can get her toe in then she might run there. I don't think there will be a problem staying a mile and a half. She is by Dynaformer and the mother has produced a filly that stayed already. So I don't think the distance is an issue."

Jim Bolger plans to run Cuis Ghaire in the Irish 1000 Guineas, whilst Brian Meehan intends to run third placed Super Sleuth in an Oaks, with a prefernce for the Prix de Diane.

Take The Hint won the Pretty Polly Stakes for John Gosden and Jimmy Fortune and the Juddmonte homebred could now head to the Ribblesdale. "She is a character. She is in the Oaks and she will either run there or in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot with no other race in between. The jockey would prefer the Ribblesdale but we'll see," said Gosden.

John Oxx plans to run 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars in the Derby, where he bids to become the first Guineas winner to double up since Nashwan in 1989.

"We have discussed it, and the Derby is the plan. When things calm down we will talk about it again, but I see no reason to change," trainer John Oxx told PA Sport.

"There is a question about stamina, as there is within any Guineas winner going to the Derby. It is a big prize, it's a great race and to win it with a Guineas winner is a rare enough things these days. It's a prize worth pursuing.

"The horse is in good form. He was fresh and well after the race. He ate all his feed and didn't seem to know that he had a race. We are delighted with him - it's so far, so good."

Brian Meehan is likely to aim runner-up Delegator at the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. "He has come out of the race in very good shape - he was fine this morning and went for a walk. I will have a proper talk to the owner next week as they had a bit of a mixed day yesterday," Meehan said. "My instinct is to go to Ascot now and not go to Ireland (Irish 2000 Guineas) but we'll just have to see how he is."

Jim Bolger is looking forward to stepping third-placed Gan Amrhas in the Derby. "He's very well-balanced and has a great temperament. We'd be hopeful everything will go pretty well between now and then, and he'd give a pretty good account when he gets there."

Evasive ran well after an interrupted preparation and will run in either the Irish 2000 Guineas or the St James's Palace Stakes.

Finjaan looks set to return to sprinting after failing to stay a mile.