Queen sights set on May Hill crown

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Zabeel Queen bids to confirm the excellent impression of her Ascot debut when stepping up in class for the bet365 May Hill Stakes.

Roger Varian’s well-related Frankel filly displayed a smart change of gear to put some more experienced rivals in their place on her racecourse introduction in late July – and the form has been well advertised since by a couple of those that finished behind.

Zabeel Queen faces a significant step up in class for the first of two Group Two events at Doncaster on Thursday, but jockey Andrea Atzeni is hopeful she will prove up to the task.

“She’s a nice filly who won a novice race at Ascot over seven furlongs quite impressively. We were hopeful going to Ascot, but you never really know when you’re taking on horses with more experience,” said the Italian rider.

“She was a bit green, but she did it well and Charlie Appleby’s two fillies who finished behind her (Renaissance Rose, fourth and Creative Flair, sixth) have both won since, I believe.

“Stepping up to a mile on a flat track like Doncaster shouldn’t be a problem.

“It is a step up in grade, but she’s entitled to be there and I’m looking forward to it.”

Zabeel Queen is the likely favourite among nine juvenile fillies declared.

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori team up with Yarmouth winner Indigo Girl, while William Haggas saddles Lilac Road – a winner over the May Hill course and distance on her second start, having finished fifth first time out at Newmarket.

“She won very well at Doncaster and I think she’s fully entitled to have a crack at it,” said Haggas.

“It looks a strong-ish renewal, but our filly is going the right way and I hope she’ll run well.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Irish challenger Ubuntu, the Kevin Ryan-trained Star Of Emaraaty and Mark Johnston’s course scorer Dubai Fountain are also in the mix.

Alpinista is a leading contender for the Park Hill Stakes
Alpinista is a leading contender for the Park Hill Stakes (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

The Varian-Atzeni axis is represented in the Group Two bet365 Park Hill Stakes by Believe In Love, who is three from three on turf this summer – completing her hat-trick with a 10-length demolition job at Newmarket last month.

Atzeni said: “She’s a very progressive filly who has won her last three races.

“It’s a big step up from a handicap to a Group Two. We don’t really know how good Believe In Love is as she’s improving all the time.”

The likely favourite was Alpinista, but she was a significant late withdrawal after scoping badly.

Monica Sheriff has won five of her seven starts for Haggas and was far from disgraced in finishing fourth in the Ebor at York last time.

“She came out of the Ebor well and I’m very happy with her going into the race,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I just wouldn’t want to see the ground dry out too much, but she’s very well.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Pista and Aidan O’Brien’s Snow are also part of an eight-strong field.

Yazaman (yellow) chases home Tactical at Newmarket
Yazaman (yellow) chases home Tactical at Newmarket (Francesca Altoft/PA)

There is a huge prize fund up for grabs in the Weatherbys Racing Bank £200,000 2-Y-O Stakes.

The standard is set by the Haggas-trained Yazaman, who has finished second in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, the July Stakes at Newmarket and the Richmond at Goodwood this summer, but could only place sixth in the Gimcrack at York on his latest outing.

Haggas said: “He was very disappointing in the Gimcrack and we’re changing the headgear from blinkers to a visor.

“He’s got the talent to win.”

All eyes on Logician in eagerly-awaited Doncaster comeback

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Logician is the undoubted star of the show on day two of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, when he makes his first competitive appearance since winning the world’s oldest Classic 12 months ago.

The John Gosden-trained grey is unbeaten in five starts in all, but has been sidelined for much of the season after he suffered a life-threatening infection during the winter.

With Zaaki declared a non-runner after suffering with a bruised foot, the Khalid Abdullah-owned Logician faces a solitary rival in Mythical Magic in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Conditions Stakes over a mile and a quarter – four and half furlongs shorter than the Leger.

Abdullah’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe, said of Frankie Dettori’s mount: “It truly is good to see him back. It has been well documented he did have a serious illness, peritonitis, over the winter, so we are going slightly into the unknown with him.

“All the indications have been positive in terms of his well-being. His work has been progressive. He’s never been a fancy worker, so it’s always hard to tell what level he’s at, but John is happy enough with him, certainly.

“Of course, he’s going back to Doncaster which obviously was the scene of his most important triumph, albeit over a lesser distance.

“There’s only one other horse left in the race now. Hopefully it will be an important stepping stone.”

He added: “I think the most important thing is to get him back on track. There are all sorts of scenarios afterwards so there’s not much point in saying this or that.

“It’s a triumph in itself getting him back on track and in good form.

“Hopefully whatever he does, he will come on significantly for the race.”

Generation triumphs as racegoers make brief return at Doncaster

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Latest Generation won the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster – the first race run in front of a paying crowd in Britain in almost six months.

Racing went behind closed doors from March 16 due to the outbreak of coronavirus – and just two days later the sport was cancelled entirely, ultimately not restarting until June 1.

Participation was initially restricted to essential staff – and while owners were allowed to return from July 4, hopes to stage a pilot event in front of a crowd of 5,000 at Goodwood on August 1 were scrapped at the 11th hour following a change to Government regulations.

Racegoers place bets at Doncaster
Racegoers place bets at Doncaster (David Davies/PA)

It has taken another six weeks for a renewed pilot to test out the return of spectators – and an estimated crowd of 2,500 spectators was expected on Town Moor for the opening afternoon of the St Leger Festival.

That figure was due to rise to around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

However, it was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon racing will go back behind closed doors for the rest of the meeting after Doncaster Council called a halt to the pilot in light of an imminent change in Government policy, which restricts social gatherings to six from a maximum of 30 people.

Having finished a promising third on his racecourse debut at Sandown last month, Latest Generation was the 8-11 for the curtain-raiser under William Buick and was prominent from the off.

Newcomer Stay Well came with a late run and shaped with plenty of promise, but Simon and Ed Crisford’s market leader always had matters in hand and passed the post a length and a half to the good.

Buick said: “He was in front, but we went fractions to suit him, so I’m not sure how hard it was for him.

“At the end of the day he’d only had one run and was in front a long way there, but he’s done it well.

“He’ll be a nice horse for next year. I don’t think you could ask any more from him.”

Tarboosh (centre) on his way to winning at Doncaster
Tarboosh (centre) on his way to winning at Doncaster (David Davies/PA)

The Paul Midgley-trained Tarboosh claimed Listed honours with victory in the bet365 Scarbrough Stakes.

Ridden by Kevin Stott, the 8-1 shot finished with a flourish to get the better of Johnny Murtagh’s Irish challenger Urban Beat and Frankie Dettori by a length and a quarter, with 5-2 favourite Dakota Gold a neck further back in third.

Midgley said: “He was good today and when he’s good, he’s very good. He ran a good race at York, I’m just not sure what happened at Beverley last time – it just didn’t happen. We started to think he could be better on flat tracks.

“There’s a Group Three for him at Newbury on Ayr Gold Cup day and that is highly likely, I can’t believe it’s taken us this long to win a Listed race with him.

“He deserves a chance at a big one. I didn’t put him in the Abbaye with all the travel problems, but we said if we were lucky enough we could always supplement him, so that is an an option.”

The Yorkshire-based trainer admitted to being disappointed on hearing the news there will be no crowds on track for the rest of the week.

He added: “It all seemed really good, having a few people back in and for the first few races we had a little bit of atmosphere back, which was excellent.

“To hear they won’t be back tomorrow is a shame. It’s trying times for everyone I’m afraid, we’ve got to just do what is right and do the best we can.”

There was a thrilling climax to the bet365 Nursery Handicap, with Terry Kent’s recent York scorer Ataser justifying 100-30 favouritism under Ray Dawson with a head verdict over Party Game.

Jedd O’Keeffe ran two in the Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap and it was bottom-weight Strait Of Hormuz under Andrea Atzeni who came out on top.

Strait Of Hormuz swoops late under Andrea Atzeni
Strait Of Hormuz swoops late under Andrea Atzeni (David Davies/PA)

“He’s doing really and what is crucial to him is a strong pace, you’ll see the best of him when he gets it,” said O’Keeffe.

“He wouldn’t get in the Cambridgeshire this year so we might have to give it some serious thought for next year.”

He added on the crowd situation: “I feel really sorry for Doncaster when you look around and see the effort that has been made with the marquees on both sides of the track. I’m sure lots of people have made a huge amount of effort, not just the racecourse itself, but we’ve got to protect the people.”

The closing Parkes Bros Roofing Contractors Handicap went to Sound Of Iona who beat her Jim Goldie-trained stablemate Primo’s Comet.

Major blow to crowd hopes as final three days of Leger festival go behind closed doors

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Doncaster will stage the final three days of the St Leger Festival behind closed doors after the local council called a halt to the crowd pilot scheme at the track.

The Town Moor venue welcomed an estimated 2,500 spectators to Wednesday’s opening day, with that figure planned to rise around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

However, the pilot began under the shadow of revised Government guidance that was outlined late on Tuesday evening, with gatherings to be limited to just six from Monday, rather than the 30-people limit that is in place now.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was due to make a statement on the issue at 4pm, but Doncaster Council preempted that move by announcing it had instructed Arena Racing Company, which operates the track, to complete the meeting behind closed doors.

Mark Spincer, managing director of ARC’s racing division, said: “We have had confirmation this afternoon from the local authority that we will not be able to admit a crowd to the final three days of the St Leger Festival, Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 September.

“The race meeting will continue on a ‘behind closed doors’ basis, as per all other race meetings currently taking place in Britain.

“This pilot event represents a hugely important step not just for our business but for the whole of British racing as well as the sports and hospitality industries as a whole. We do, of course, fully understand and respect the decision and will be contacting all of our customers booked for the remaining three days as a matter of urgency.

“We were pleased to work closely with Doncaster Council to set up this pilot event in the manner that we had, but matters beyond anyone’s control, and the data that regarding local rates that have come to light today, mean we will not be able to welcome a crowd from Thursday onwards.

“We would, of course, like to thank all of our customers for their support in the run up to this event as well as our staff who have done a monumental job in preparing the site.”

Dr Rupert Suckling, director of public health for Doncaster, said in a statement: “I wanted to update you on the St Leger and my position considering the factors I mentioned in my previous message. However, as I have already said, I am assessing the situation daily against the 10 tests I set out to hold the event.

“I am concerned that the 10th and final test covering critical incident risks addressed throughout the event such as managing gatherings of people, public disorder risks across the borough, will be jeopardised by potentially more people meeting up ahead of any further Government changes to the coronavirus advice this weekend.

“The current rate of infection for the borough currently stands at 10.6 infections per 100,000 people which I have been updated on today and this is an increase due to a range of factors including an increase in testing and a lag in the test results coming in.

“Therefore on the grounds of public health and public safety, I have instructed the racecourse to hold the St Leger Festival behind closed doors from tomorrow.

“The day’s racing will continue today as it is safer to manage racegoers on site and with enhanced test and trace, it will be easier to identify where they are from rather than closing the event today and leaving people to their own devices in Doncaster and the borough generally.

“I appreciate this decision may not be met with universal agreement but it is the safest and most appropriate way to move forward for everyone’s best interests in the borough and beyond.”

A similar pilot scheme planned for the final day of Glorious Goodwood last month was called off the day before the meeting due to revised Government guidance, but hopes had been high the four days on Town Moor – the first day of crowds since the coronavirus shutdown in March – would signal the beginning of a gradual return to something like normality.

Local hero Duffield has fond memories of User Friendly – and Nijinsky

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Yorkshiremen are a proud breed – and that was certainly how George Duffield felt when he won the St Leger at Doncaster on User Friendly in 1992.

Born in the village of Stanley, near Wakefield, about 35 miles from the racecourse on Town Moor, Duffield never expected to be the toast of the county by winning the world’s oldest Classic.

That was until the brilliant User Friendly came along and it was not long into her three-year-old career that Duffield made a bold prediction to her connections.

“I’m not into bold statements – I never have been – but I made one then and told Bill Gredley (owner/breeder) she’d win the Leger,” he said.

“I thought that when she won the Oaks. She was by a Derby winner (Slip Anchor) out of a good staying mare (Rostova, by another Derby hero in Blakeney).

George Duffield drives User Friendly to victory in the Oaks
George Duffield drives User Friendly to victory in the Oaks (PA)

“I had no stamina concerns whatsoever. Not only did she stay well, she had class and the ability to be a top-class Group One filly.

“She could go a good gallop. If you stretched them from three or four furlongs down they would struggle to get by you.

“She had a lot of quality and a great cruising speed and did all the right things and kept improving all year.

“I won a mile-and-a-quarter maiden on her at Sandown. Then she won the Oaks trial at Lingfield, the Oaks, the Irish Oaks, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Leger.”

The race itself went pretty smoothly, with User Friendly tracking the leaders as Mack The Knife set the pace before hitting the front two furlongs out and putting the race to bed.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite in a field of seven, the Clive Brittain-trained filly quickly showed her superiority and went on to beat Sonus by three and a half lengths.

“Being a Yorkshireman and born not far from Doncaster, winning a Leger was something I thought I would never achieve and also to get to wear one of those silly caps!

“She was a pleasure to ride and she was a very good filly.”

George Duffield had the pleasure of riding in the historic Leger won by Nijinsky
George Duffield had the pleasure of riding in the historic Leger won by Nijinsky (PA)

Duffield’s first ride in the St Leger had been a totally different experience.

It was 1970, the year of the mighty Nijinsky’s successful quest to become the first winner of the Triple Crown since 1935 – one of only four in peacetime during the 20th century and the last to date.

He was assigned by trainer Peter Walwyn to ride King Of The Castle, the 100-1 complete outsider, as a pacemaker for the stable’s first string, Rock Roi.

It did not go to plan, as Duffield recalled – but there was at least one humorous moment he shared with Nijnisky’s jockey Lester Piggott during the race.

“I was supposed to make the running, but they went so fast I couldn’t get to the front so I just sat in there and rode a normal race. The pace was strong enough for Rock Roi anyway,” he said.

“I did see Nijinsky. Lester had a chat with me just after the mile gate. We were about to set sail for home and head towards the turn for home. Lester stopped alongside me and said in his usual voice, ‘I bet you wouldn’t mind riding this’.”

Piggott and Nijinsky went on to make racing history, while Duffield and his no-hoper finished tailed off last of the nine runners.

However, he did not leave Doncaster empty-handed that day. He had the last winner on the card, Fairzan, for Jack Calvert in a staying handicap.

George Duffield steered Aristotle to a big-race victory for Aidan O'Brien at Doncaster
George Duffield steered Aristotle to a big-race victory for Aidan O’Brien at Doncaster (John Giles/PA)

Duffield never had much chance to win a second Leger, but he did capture the Champagne Stakes on Unblest for James Fanshawe in 1993. And he had other notable winners on Town Moor, such as Aristotle in the Racing Post Trophy in 1999 for Aidan O’Brien, as well as two victories in the November Handicap.

“Doncaster was very lucky for me,” he said.

Duffield retired professionally in March 2005 at the age of 58, after a career spanning over 40 years that yielded 2547 winners.

He could not quite kick the habit for good and returned to ride in the early editions of the Leger Legends race that has been staged on the first day of the meeting since 2010.

“I couldn’t quite manage to win it. I was second, third and fourth,” he said.

“I thought I might just have mugged Mick Kinane one year, but I just couldn’t quite get there.”

George Duffield enjoyed some famous days in the saddle
George Duffield enjoyed some famous days in the saddle (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)

He is married to North Yorkshire trainer Ann Duffield and still plays an active role. He also keeps a close eye on the wider racing picture.

“I’ll be watching. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I never miss any of the big races,” he said.

As for this year’s St Leger, he feels Pyledriver will go close if he lasts out the extended mile and three-quarters.

“If he stays he will be a big factor in the race,” he said.

“I wouldn’t be certain he’d get a mile and six, but they have to go for it. It’s one of those years when you have to take your chance.”

Smart renewal of Flying Childers in prospect at Doncaster

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Old adversaries The Lir Jet and Ventura Tormenta are to clash for a third time in a fascinating renewal of the Bombardier Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.

Ventura Tormenta got the verdict by a short head when the pair were first and second in the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July.

Things did not go right for Richard Hannon’s charge in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, finishing last, while in contrast The Lir Jet, trained by Michael Bell, was promoted to second spot from third in the stewards’ room.

Steel Bull, who also ran in the Phoenix, is among the field of 11 declared for the Group Two dash over five furlongs.

The son of Clodovil, trained in Ireland by Michael O’Callaghan, was only seventh at the Curragh after breaking two teeth when hitting his head in the stalls.

He is better judged on his victory in the Molecomb Stakes over this trip at Goodwood.

The other two Irish challengers are Ger Lyons’ filly Frenetic, who is a dual Listed winner, and Johnny Murtagh’s Measure Of Magic.

William Haggas runs his Lowther runner-up Sacred, with Gimcrack also-rans Mohawk King and Ubettavbelieveit are also in the mix.

Completing the line-up are Burning Cash, Perotto and Winter Power.

The bet365 Doncaster Cup is very much up for grabs, with last year’s winner and champion stayer Stradivarius being saved for a crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Nayef Road, runner-up to Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup this summer, was a surprise absentee after seven were declared.

Revolver takes a mighty hike up in class after a series of six handicap victories in staying races have seen his rating soar from 57 to 98.

His trainer Sir Mark Prescott lifted this coveted prize with another three-year-old, Alleluia, in 2001.

It looks a wide-open event with the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Verdon, David Simcock’s Eagles By Day and Andrew Balding’s Spanish Mission having solid Group-race form.

Heather Main’s Island Brave, the James Fanshawe-trained Selino and The Grand Visir, from the Ian Williams stable, make up the septet.

Spycatcher, Royal Scimitar and Darvel, who were second, fourth and seventh respectively behind Gear Up in the Acomb Stakes at York, feature in a field of 11 declared for the bet365 Flying Scotsman Stakes.

Solario Stakes third Apollo One and promising types such as Laneqash and Round Six are also in the Listed heat over seven furlongs.

Doncaster welcomes return of crowds – but pilot scheme remains in the balance

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Racegoers began to arrive at Doncaster before racing on Wednesday – but for how long the pilot scheme continues remains up in the air.

A Government announcement is due at 4pm, when Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a news briefing outlining the latest guidelines for sporting events following the change in policy which restricts social gatherings from a maximum of 30 people to just six.

An estimated 2,500 spectators were expected on Wednesday, with that figure gradually rising to around 6,000 for the Pertemps St Leger on Saturday.

A similar pilot scheme planned for the final day of Glorious Goodwood last month was called off the day before the meeting.

Hopes had been high the four days on Town Moor – the first day of crowds since the coronavirus shutdown in March – would signal the beginning of a gradual return to something like normality.

Doncaster has made several changes to accommodate the return of paying customers, with designated zones allocated to various groups, including annual members and owners.

The pilot holds huge significance, not just for racing but sport as a whole, with the industry hoping everything goes smoothly which would aid the return of crowds to all sports.

While the cancellation of the scheme, should it happen, would be a hammer blow again, it is key Wednesday’s event goes without a hitch.

The track is run by Arena Racing Company and their PR and communications manager Sam Cone said it was “business as usual” until they hear anything different.

“We can’t comment on what may or may not be announced later,” said Cone.

“It’s business as usual as far as we’re concerned, we’ve just got to continue as we are until we hear anything different from Government.”

Condon fillies ready for Moyglare date

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Ken Condon is planning to run both Teresa Mendoza and Thunder Beauty in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.

The pair came through their final piece of work with flying colours to give the County Kildare trainer high hopes for the Group One over seven furlongs for two-year-old fillies.

“Both of them will hopefully take their chance,” said Condon.

“They are two nice fillies, and I think the ground is drying up for the rest of the week, so it should be lovely racing ground.

“We are happy with both fillies. They worked (on Tuesday morning), and all seems fine, so we’re looking forward to it.”

Teresa Mendoza made a winning debut and was then second in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh on her only run since. Thunder Beauty made a winning debut over the same course in July.

Condon also reports Laws Of Indices to be bang on course for the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, after he also came through his exercise in good style.

“He seems very well,” he said.

“He did his last bit of routine work, and all went fine. I’m happy with him.”

Laws Of Indices sprang a 66-1 upset in the Group Two Railway Stakes at the Curragh, and then lost all chance with a slow start when a staying-on fourth in the Group One Phoenix Stakes over the same six furlongs last month.

Lowther Stakes winner Miss Amulet remains on target for the Cheveley Park at Newmarket, having been bought privately by Michael Tabor and partners since her York success.

“She’s on target for the Cheveley Park – that’s the next race for her,” said her trainer.

“All seems well since the Lowther. She’s training as normal. We’re happy with her – (so) that’s the plan.”

Princess Zoe is Galway star again

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Princess Zoe continued her remarkable rise up the ranks with a decisive fourth successive victory, on her first attempt at Listed company in the Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes at Galway.

Tony Mullins’ hugely-improved mare was returning, after a five-week break, to the scene of her two Festival handicap victories in the space of six days.

The five-year-old took the rise in class entirely in her stride, overcoming a wide berth throughout to hit the front two furlongs out before stretching clear and maintaining her advantage to the line.

Princess Zoe again appeared to relish the testing conditions – and even through the poor visibility on a wet evening, the grey could be seen travelling ominously well in mid-division under Joey Sheridan behind pace-setting Ennistymon.

Once she was asked to quicken, the 2-1 favourite did so emphatically to win by a length and three-quarters from the staying-on Barrington Court – with this year’s Epsom Oaks runner-up Ennistymon having to settle for third, another half-length further back.

Princess Zoe had already risen 37lb in the ratings – from her opening mark of 64 when she joined Mullins from Stefan Richter in Germany at the start of this summer – and after this latest victory, her Gowran trainer confirmed ever higher-profile plans beckon.

“It’s a great relief to have that over, particularly to see her do it on heavy ground,” said Mullins.

“We would have had a sporadic good horse (in the past), but injury intervened with so many of them.

“This one has delivered every time – and it shows, though few and far between, that a small stable can compete at this level.”

As for the future, in the short term, the grand stages of Newmarket and ParisLongchamp are in the equation – with Cheltenham, and a switch to jumping to prepare for next year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, then on her owners’ minds.

Mullins added: “She’s owned by a great old friend in Paddy (Kehoe), with his sister Philomena (Crampton), and they are purely racing people – so other considerations don’t come into it.

“Cheltenham is still to the forefront of their minds, but in the shorter term we’ll have to have discussions as regards the Cesarewitch and the (Prix du) Cadran.

“Joey couldn’t use his allowance here, but his claim would negate a penalty in the Cesarewitch.”

Romanised plans on hold after Paris disappointment

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Plans are on hold for Romanised after the Group One-winning miler put in a below-par display in the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp.

Ken Condon’s five-year-old was slowly away and never figured in Sunday’s race, finishing last of six behind Persian King.

An initial routine check-up failed to come up with any reason for the uncharacteristically poor performance from the normally consistent son of Holy Roman Emperor, who was beaten only a nose in the Moulin 12 months earlier.

“For whatever reason he’s under-performed on Sunday – nothing has come to light,” said Condon.

“He’s had a clean bill of health from his usual attending vet yesterday. He cantered this morning, so it’s nothing obvious.”

Romanised will therefore be given time to recover.

“Obviously we were disappointed, and we are none the wiser,” added Condon.

“Maybe something will come to light in he next few days.

“I’m sure in the next few days the owner will say what he would like to do. We have no plans for the minute.

“He won’t be going for the QEII or races like the Foret after that. We’ll just sit tight for a while. It’s best to leave these things for a few days and see.”